VIBRIO-VULNIFICUS WOUND INFECTIONS FROM THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COASTAL WATERS - JUNE TO AUGUST 1993

Vibrio vulnificus, part of the normal marine flora of the Gulf of Mexi co, is being increasingly recognized as an important human pathogen, V vulnificus contamination of superficial wounds can cause a severe, ra pidly progressive, necrotizing cellulitis with bullous skin lesions th at may require surgical debridement and is occasionally fatal. We summ arize information about six cases of V vulnificus wound infection repo rted to the Mississippi State Department of Health from June to August 1993. Five of the six patients required hospitalization for intraveno us antibiotic treatment and, in two cases, surgery, Two patients died from septicemia, despite aggressive antibiotic treatment; both had pre existing medical conditions that could have contributed to immune comp romise and fulminant infection, This report underscores the virulence of this organism and the need for awareness by both the clinician and diagnostic laboratory personnel when dealing with superficial wounds o ccupationally or recreationally exposed to seawater.