Vibrio cholerae Bacteremia causing severe lactic acidosis and multiorgan failure in alcoholic cirrhosis: A report of a fatal case

Non-O1, non-O139 <i>Vibrio cholerae</i> (NOVC) infections can cause sepsis in patients with liver cirrhosis. NOVC bacteraemia is a rare condition, with the highest number of cases reported in Asia. Despite increasing recognition of non-O1, Non-O139 <i>Vibrio cholerae</i> as emerging pathogens associated with gastroenteritis, wound infections, and septicaemia, there is limited knowledge on disease patterns, complications, and survival dynamics of the disease. Here, NOVC strains were isolated from an elderly female with a known history of alcoholic cirrhosis, who presented with severe abdominal pain and altered sensorium leading to hepatic coma. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a provisional diagnosis of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ascites, jaundice, coagulopathy, and hepatic encephalopathy) complicated by septic shock and multiorgan failure. Hepatitis panel (Hepatitis A IgM, Hepatitis B surface antigen, Anti-Hepatitis C antibody) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) screening were negative. Despite aggressive supportive measures, the patient's condition deteriorated, and she succumbed to her illness on day 4 of ICU admission. Informed consent was obtained from the patient's relatives.