Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyReferences

View all Images (22)

Potentially life-threatening emergency
Vibrio vulnificus infection
See also in: Cellulitis DDx
Print Captions
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed
Potentially life-threatening emergency

Vibrio vulnificus infection

See also in: Cellulitis DDx
Print Images (22)
Contributors: Molly Plovanich MD, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Alerts and Notices

Synopsis

Vibrio vulnificus infection (Primary Septicemia) : Diarrhea, Fever, Nausea, Vomiting, Lower leg, Mental status alteration, Non-traumatic saltwater exposure, Painful skin lesions, Tense bullae, Ecchymosis, BP decreased, Raw shellfish
Primary Septicemia
Vibrio vulnificus is a virulent, gram-negative rod that can cause wound infections and primary septicemia. Vibrio vulnificus is endemic to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the Chesapeake Bay, and, to a lesser extent, the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America and Northern Europe.

Infection is contracted through sustaining a new scratch, inoculation of a pre-existing wound, or through ingestion of raw shellfish such as raw oysters (V. vulnificus is found in up to 10% of raw shellfish on the market in the United States). It is generally acquired in coastal areas (particularly the Gulf Coast) where it is part of the normal flora of seawater from warmer climates.

Cutaneous lesions develop at the site of a new or prior wound and can spread rapidly, varying in severity from a mild cellulitis to a life-threatening soft tissue infection, including myositis and necrotizing fasciitis. Tenosynovitis can occur after a laceration. Risk factors for severe V. vulnificus infection include pre-existing liver disease, in particular alcoholic liver disease and hemochromatosis, and a subset of chronic medical diseases, including lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic renal failure, and diabetes mellitus.

One-third of patients either present with shock or develop shock during the first 12 hours of hospitalization. Mortality for primary V. vulnificus septicemia with hypotension is approximately 50%, and amputation results in 10% of cases.

Codes

ICD10CM:
B96.82 – Vibrio vulnificus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

SNOMEDCT:
402965002 – Vibrio vulnificus infection

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Reviewed:03/20/2017
Last Updated:11/22/2021
Copyright © 2023 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Potentially life-threatening emergency
Vibrio vulnificus infection
See also in: Cellulitis DDx
Captions Print   Filter Images View all Images (22)
(with subscription) Reset
A medical illustration showing key findings of Vibrio vulnificus infection (Primary Septicemia) : Diarrhea, Fever, Nausea, Vomiting, Lower leg, Mental status alteration, Non-traumatic saltwater exposure, Painful skin lesions, Tense bullae, Ecchymosis, BP decreased, Raw shellfish
Clinical image of Vibrio vulnificus infection - imageId=291036. Click to open in gallery. caption: 'Several vesicles and large bullae, some hemorrhagic, with surrounding purpura on the legs.'
Several vesicles and large bullae, some hemorrhagic, with surrounding purpura on the legs.

+20 More images of Vibrio vulnificus infection with subscription

Copyright © 2023 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.