Vibrio vulnificus

Vibrio vulnificus is a rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Vibrio present in marine or freshwater environments such as estuaries, brackish ponds, or coastal areas.

Related Topics:
Bacterium - Vibrio

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It causes an infection often incurred after eating seafood, especially shellfish. The bacteria can also enter the body through open wounds when swimming or wading. Symptoms include diarrhea and a blistering dermatitis that is sometimes mistaken for pemphigus or pemphigoid. Severe symptoms and even death can occur if the bacterium enters the bloodstream—something more common in people with compromised immune systems. {{ref|genome}}

Related Topics:
Seafood - Shellfish - Wound - Diarrhea - Blister - Dermatitis - Pemphigus - Pemphigoid - Blood - Immune system

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There are people who are especially vulnerable, including those with immunocompromised state (human immunodeficiency virus, cancer, bone marrow suppression, achlorhydria (decreased gastric acid production), and diabetes), end-stage renal impairment, liver impairment (particularly cirrhosis){{ref|cirrhosis}}, and haemochromatosis{{ref|haemochromatosis}}.

Related Topics:
Human immunodeficiency virus - Cancer - Achlorhydria - Gastric acid - Diabetes - Renal impairment - Cirrhosis - Haemochromatosis

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V. vulnificus also disproportionately affects males, with 85% of those developing endotoxic shock from the bacteria being male. Females who had a gonadectomy experienced increased mortality rates. Estrogen is believed to provide protection against V. vulnificus.{{ref|estrogen}}

Related Topics:
Endotoxic - Gonadectomy - Estrogen

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When caught early, the infection can be treated with antibiotics, e.g. doxycycline. In the case of wound infection by V. vulnificus, some patients require amputation to stop the disease from spreading. {{ref|amputate}}

Related Topics:
Antibiotic - Doxycycline - Amputation

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