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Vibrio Vulnificus

Vibrio vulnificus bacteria come from the same family that causes cholera, but these bacteria cause different illnesses, including sepsis and wound infections. In many causes, Vibrio vulnificus infections occur through eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially raw oysters, harvested from salt waters. A Vibrio vulnificus infection is an acute illness, and those who recover should not expect long-term consequences. However, Vibrio vulnificus infections are fatal about 40 percent of the time.

 

What Is Vibrio Vulnificus?

Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that is a rare cause of illness in the United States. Although Vibrio vulnificus comes from the same family as Vibrio cholerae (the bacteria that cause cholera), it causes different illnesses.
 
Vibrio vulnificus is a natural inhabitant of warm, coastal waters. It tends to cause most infections between the months of May and October.
 
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) receives reports of over 400 Vibrio illnesses each year. Of these illnesses, about 90 are due to Vibrio vulnificus.
 

Illnesses Caused by Vibrio Vulnificus

Vibrio vulnificus is known to cause two different illnesses: sepsis and wound infections.
 
Sepsis
Vibrio vulnificus typically causes sepsis. This is a severe and life-threatening illness that is characterized by fever and chills, decreased blood pressure (septic shock), and blood-tinged, blistering skin lesions (hemorrhagic bullae).
 
Sepsis caused by Vibrio vulnificus is more common in people with:
 
  • Cirrhosis (inflammation of any tissue or organ)
  • Hemochromatosis (hereditary iron disorder)
  • Chronic kidney insufficiency
  • A compromised immune system, as is found in patients with leukemia, lymphoma, HIV, and AIDS.
     
Sepsis caused by Vibrio vulnificus is also more common in people taking immunosuppresive medications, or those who abuse alcohol.
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD