Vibrio vulnificus infection: a persistent threat to public health

Abstract

Vibrio vulnificus is a gram-negative bacterium that can cause serious, potentially fatal infections. V. vulnificus causes three distinct syndromes: an overwhelming primary septicemia caused by consuming contaminated seafood, wound infections acquired when an open wound is exposed to contaminated warm seawater, and gastrointestinal tract-limited infections. Case-fatality rates are higher than 50% for primary septicemia, and death typically occurs within 72 hours of hospitalization. Risk factors for V. vulnificus infection include chronic liver disease, alcoholism, and hematological disorders. When V. vulnificus infection is suspected, appropriate antibiotic treatment and surgical interventions should be performed immediately. Third-generation cephalosporin with doxycycline, or quinolone with or without third-generation cephalosporin, may be potential treatment options for patients with V. vulnificus infection.

Vibrio vulnificus - Expect the Unexpected

“…V. vulnificus causes three distinct syndromes of which the deadliest one is primary septicemia which is caused by consumption of contaminated raw seafood with case fatality rates of more than 50% and possibility of death within 72 hours of onset of symptoms. 2 It contributes to wound infections acquired when an open wound in exposed to contaminated sea water or it can also result in infections limited to the gastrointestinal tract. 3 Risk factors include advanced age (>60 yrs), male gender, chronic liver disease immunodeficiency and hematological disorders.…”

“…Preferred combination of antimicrobial therapy against primary sepsis is with ceftazidime 2 g IV 8 th hr + doxycycline 100 mg IV/PO every 12 th hr. 1,2 Surgical intervention is a must for patients with severe tissue infection since antimicrobial therapy alone cannot achieve the therapeutic levels at the site due to thrombosis of the blood vessels supplying the affected area. Wound debridement is necessary to remove necrotic tissue and reduce the bacterial burden in the site.…”

Septicemia secondary toVibrio cholerae(non-O1/non-O139) in wound

“…However, V. cholerae infections may occasionally lead to severe septicemia and in such cases, carries a high risk of mortality. V. cholera non-O1/non-O139 is usually transmitted through consumption of seafood and exposure to contaminated seawater in people with underlying chronic medical diseases 4…”

Improved Method for Transformation of Vibrio vulnificus by Electroporation

“…V. vulnificus, one of the fastest-killing foodborne human pathogens, causes deadly septicemia with a mortality rate exceeding 50% (Baker-Austin et al, 2018;Phillips & Satchell, 2017;Yun & Kim, 2018). It is one of the leading causes of Vibrio-associated deaths (Jones & Oliver, 2009), especially in the Unites States, with case fatalities predominant along the East Coast.…”

“…Vibrio vulnificus, an emergent human pathogen, causes life-threatening septicemia with an alarming mortality rate, exceeding 50% (Baker-Austin et al, 2018;Hamashima, Iwasaki, & Arai, 1995;Phillips & Satchell, 2017;Yun & Kim, 2018). This bacterium is the leading cause of non-cholera, Vibrio-associated deaths worldwide (Jones & Oliver, 2009).…”