Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2022 | Necrotizing Fasciitis | Case report
Vibrio vulnificus necrotizing fasciitis with sepsis presenting with pain in the lower legs in winter: a case report
Authors:
Weihua Di, Jing Cui, Hui Yu, Xiao Cui, Huanlan Sa, Zhong Fu, Bingjin Fu, Guofeng Guan, Rui Du, Cuijie Shao, Yong Gao
Published in:
BMC Infectious Diseases
|
Issue 1/2022
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Abstract
Background
Vibrio vulnificus infections develop rapidly and are associated with a high mortality rate. The rates of diagnosis and treatment are directly associated with mortality.
Case presentation
We describe an unusual case of a 61-year-old male patient with chronic liver disease and diabetes who presented with a chief complaint of pain in both lower legs due to V. vulnificus infection in winter. Within 12 h of arrival, typical skin lesions appeared, and the patient rapidly developed primary sepsis. Despite prompt appropriate antibiotic and surgical treatment, the patient died 16 days after admission.
Conclusion
Our case findings suggest that V. vulnificus infection should be suspected in patients with an unclear infection status experiencing pain of unknown origin in the lower legs, particularly in patients with liver disease or diabetes, immunocompromised status, and alcoholism.