Septicaemia secondary to Vibrio vulnificus cellulitis.
Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring, salt-water bacteria found in estuarine and coastal waters worldwide. It prefers low salinity and warm water temperatures for optimum growth. Infection from Vibrio vulnificus is uncommon, although it has been reported from many locations (e.g. southern United States of America, Israel, Republic of Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Spain, Turkey). It can be serious and life threatening, causing septicaemia and wound infections. This paper reports a case of septicaemia secondary to Vibrio vulnificus cellulitis in an elderly woman. The infection was acquired after wading in a coastal lagoon with a pre-existing superficial leg wound.
Lewis
Peter R
PR
Central Coast Public Health Unit, Gosford, New South Wales. plewis@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
Cook
Lucy
L
Drewitt-Smith
Janet
J
McEwen
Adam D
AD
Granger
Linda V
LV
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000150:complications; D014735:Vibrio Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D041261:Vibrio vulnificus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology