A description and illustration of a necrotizing fasciitis by John Bell in 1801, hypothetically caused by Vibrio vulnificus.
We present an overlooked and noteworthy historical case and illustration of a necrotizing fasciitis, observed and written by John Bell (1763-1820), first published in 1801. Considering the setting and the clinical presentation, we hypothesize that the pathogen responsible was the species Vibrio vulnificus. The typical clinical course of a rapidly progressive illness preceded by saltwater exposure shortly followed by the development of a hemorrhagic skin lesion, with a fatal outcome, should strongly suggest a V. vulnificus infection. To our knowledge, there are few historical case reports with illustrations included describing cases of necrotizing fasciitis, particularly with V. vulnificus as the suggested pathogen.
Hassing
Robert-Jan
RJ
Internal Medicine Department, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. r.hassing@erasmusmc.nl
de Groot
Yorick J
YJ
Kompanje
Erwin J
EJ
D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012606:Scotland; D014735:Vibrio Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history*; D041261:Vibrio vulnificus / Q000472:pathogenicity