Post-Hurricane Katrina challenge: Vibrio vulnificus.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Vibrio vulnificus, a rare organism that surfaced following Huricane Katrina and caused serious problems for many victims.


METHODS
Selected scientific literature supplemented with case presentations of patients seen following Katrina.


CONCLUSIONS
After Hurricane Katrina and as a result of extensive flooding of below-sea-level New Orleans, toxic waters contaminated many areas of the city. As a result of this extensive flooding of toxic waters, people were exposed to V. vulnificus.


CONCLUSIONS
Consider V. vulnificus in the differential diagnosis and culture all wounds for this organism in any patients exposed to contaminated seawater. Prompt initiation of antibiotic treatment, especially before the onset of septic shock, provides the best outcomes.
Rhoads
Jacqueline
J
Louisiana State University Health Science Center School of Nursing, New Orleans, Louisiana 70150, USA. jrhoad@lsuhsc.edu
D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D017053:Infection Control; D008145:Louisiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011322:Primary Prevention; D012307:Risk Factors; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014735:Vibrio Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D041261:Vibrio vulnificus; D014871:Water Microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents