Fulminant necrotizing fasciitis due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus

• Published in: Journal of medical microbiology Vol. 59; no. 2; pp. 235 - 238
• Main Authors: Tena, Daniel, Arias, Marta, Alvarez, Barbara Teresa, Mauleon, Coro, Jimenez, Mari Paz, Bisquert, Julia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Reading Soc General Microbiol 01.02.2010; Society for General Microbiology
• Subjects: Aged, 80 and over; Bacteriology; Biological and medical sciences; Fasciitis, Necrotizing - microbiology; Fatal Outcome; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Microbiology; Miscellaneous; Vibrio Infections - microbiology; Vibrio parahaemolyticus - isolation & purification; Infection; Connective tissue disease; Skin disease; Necrotizing fasciitis; Bacteriosis; Vibrio parahaemolyticus; Bacteria; Vibrionaceae
• ISSN: 0022-2615; 1473-5644
• DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.014654-0

1 Section of Microbiology, University Hospital of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Spain 2 Service of Geriatrics, University Hospital of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Spain Correspondence Daniel Tena danielt{at}sescam.jccm.es Received July 21, 2009 Accepted September 24, 2009 Necrotizing soft-tissue infection due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus is unusual. We report a case of necrotizing fasciitis due to V. parahaemolyticus in a 92-year-old woman with a history of chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus and malnutrition. Clinical evolution was fulminant and the patient died 6 h after admission. A review of all cases previously reported showed that the infection occurred in patients with underlying diseases through ingestion of raw oysters or inoculation via traumatic injury in marine environments. The mortality rate of all reviewed cases was 42.8 %. In conclusion, V. parahaemolyticus should be considered a possible causative agent of necrotizing fasciitis, especially in patients with underlying disease. Early diagnosis and prompt aggressive debridement associated with antibiotic therapy are essential in order to save the patient's life, because clinical evolution can be fulminant and mortality rates are high.