Post-traumatic wound infection after diving caused by Vibrio alginolyticus: a case report

Vibrio alginolyticus is a facultatively anaerobic, Gram-negative bacillus that is a common component of marine flora. Infections caused by Vibrio alginolyticus are rare and typically occur following exposure to seawater or marine animals. This report details the clinical presentation and follow-up of a 65-year-old immunocompetent male who developed a wound infection due to Vibrio alginolyticus. Advanced diagnostic tools, such as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, can enhance the identification of these bacteria. Sport clinicians need to recognise Vibrio infections in seawater-contaminated wounds, as infections may be serious and the therapeutic approach may differ from conventional treatments.