Non-cholera Vibrio infections - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Non-cholera Vibrio infections are infections caused by Vibrio species other than V cholerae.
Vibrio vulnificus is the most virulent and can rapidly produce fatal septic shock in immunocompromised patients or those with underlying liver disease.
The diagnosis is based on blood, wound, and/or stool cultures.
Treatment consists of intravenous antibiotic therapy with two agents for those with sepsis or severe systemic infection. Patients with necrotizing skin/soft-tissue infection also require early aggressive debridement of the infected tissue. Localized skin/soft-tissue wound infections are managed with oral antibiotics and close observation.
Gastroenteritis syndromes are treated with rehydration. Oral antibiotics are indicated if diarrhea persists >5 days.

Gangrenous change with hemorrhagic bullae in a patient with cirrhosis who developed septic shock and Vibrio vulnificus bacteremia

From the image collection of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Images

Gangrenous change with hemorrhagic bullae in a patient with cirrhosis who developed septic shock and Vibrio vulnificus bacteremia
Vibrio vulnificus inoculation injury with early cellulitis
Gram-negative curved bacilli (arrowhead) isolated from a blood sample

Citations

Key Articles

Dechet AM, Yu PA, Koram N, et al. Nonfoodborne Vibrio infections: an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, 1997-2006. Clin Infect Dis. 2008;46:970-6.[Abstract]
California Department of Public Health. CDPH IDB guidance for managing select communicable diseases: non-cholera Vibrio infections. Jun 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Evans L, Rhodes A, Alhazzani W, et al. Surviving Sepsis Campaign: international guidelines for management of sepsis and septic shock 2021. Crit Care Med. 2021 Nov 1;49(11):e1063-143.[Full Text]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vibrio species causing vibriosis. Information for health professionals and laboratorians. Aug 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]

Other Online Resources

CDC: Cholera and Other Vibrio Illness Surveillance (COVIS)
FDA: Vibrio vulnificus Health Education Kit
CDC: National Notifiable Infectious Diseases Surveillance System: Vibriosis

Referenced Articles

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