title: Septicaemia secondary to Vibrio vulnificus cellulitis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Central Coast Public Health Unit, Gosford, New South Wales. plewis@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Drewitt-Smith
authors.forename: Adam D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: McEwen
authors.forename: Linda V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Granger
mesh_terms: 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