Secondary septic shock caused by Vibrio vulnificus infection: A case report

Objective: To describe the case of V. ​vulnificus infection and to review the literature, emphasizing the importance of laboratory pathogen biology examination in clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A retrospective review and analyzed a case of a patient infected with septic shock secondary to V. ​vulnificus due to trauma in Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University on August 9, 2023. This includes an examination of the symptoms, laboratory results, and treatment process. The BD Phoenix-M50 automatic bacterial identification analyzer was used to identify and test the susceptibility of cultured bacteria, the French Mérieux VITEK® MS IND MALDI TOF was used for identification by mass spectrometry. Results: Skin secretion culture and blood cultures are Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, according to select sensitive antimicrobial drug susceptibility results and surgical treatment after calcitonin original and CRP in patients with infective index returned to normal. Conclusions: Vibrio vulnificus can infect humans through damaged skin and cause wound infection and bloodstream infection. Early wound culture and blood culture are must. Early surgical operation combined with anti-infection therapy is the key to the treatment of Vibrio vulnificus infection to prevent secondary infection endangers the patient’s life. In addition, publicity and education such as preventive measures can also effectively reduce the infection rate of vibrio vulnificus .