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BMJ Case Rep. 2010; 2010: bcr11.2009.2478.
Published online 2010 May 6. doi:  10.1136/bcr.11.2009.2478
PMCID: PMC3047531
Reminder of important clinical lesson
Necrotising fasciitis with Vibrio vulnificus: a limb threatening dermatologic complication following exposure to marine life
Anurag Kushawaha,1 Neville Mobarakai,2 Michael Cooper,3 Kenneth Rose,3 and Michael Awasum4
1Staten Island University Hospital, Internal Medicine, 475 Seaview Avenue, Staten Island, New York, NY10305, USA
2Staten Island University Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases, 475 Seaview Avenue, Staten Island, New York, NY10305, USA
3Staten Island University Hospital, Department of Surgery, Division of Burn Care, 475 Seaview Avenue, Staten Island, New York, NY10305, USA
4Staten Island University Hospital, Department of Pathology, 475 Seaview Avenue, Staten Island, New York, NY10305, USA
Correspondence to Anurag Kushawaha, anurag_rk/at/hotmail.com
Abstract
Vibrio vulnificus is a rare cause of necrotising fasciitis. The organism can be found in warm, shallow coastal waters, as well as on shellfish, such as crab, and also filter-feeding molluscs, such as oysters, clams, and scallops. In the USA, it is the leading cause of shellfish related deaths. In individuals with major underlying illnesses, such as liver disease, diabetes mellitus, malignancy, alcoholism, haemochromatosis or chronic renal disease, the organism can lead to a fulminant course with a high degree of mortality. Early antimicrobial treatment and timely surgical interventions can be potentially life preserving in serious infections with V vulnificus. We report a case of an elderly patient with end stage renal disease on haemodialysis who developed necrotising fasciitis with V vulnificus following a puncture injury while cleaning crabs.
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