Vibrio vulnificus: An environmental and clinical burden

Sing Peng Heng, Vengadesh Letchumanan, Chuan Yan Deng, Nurul Syakima Ab Mutalib, Tahir M. Khan, Lay Hong Chuah, Kok Gan Chan, Bey Hing Goh, Priyia Pusparajah, Learn Han Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalReview ArticleOtherpeer-review

141 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Vibrio vulnificus is a Gram negative, rod shaped bacterium that belongs to the family Vibrionaceae. It is a deadly, opportunistic human pathogen which is responsible for the majority of seafood-associated deaths worldwide. V. vulnificus infection can be fatal as it may cause severe wound infections potentially requiring amputation or lead to sepsis in susceptible individuals. Treatment is increasingly challenging as V. vulnificus has begun to develop resistance against certain antibiotics due to their indiscriminate use. This article aims to provide insight into the antibiotic resistance of V. vulnificus in different parts of the world as well as an overall review of its clinical manifestations, treatment, and prevention. Understanding the organism's antibiotic resistance profile is vital in order to select appropriate treatment and initiate appropriate prevention measures to treat and control V. vulnificus infections, which should eventually help lower the mortality rate associated with this pathogen worldwide.

Original languageEnglish
Article number997
Number of pages14
JournalFrontiers in Microbiology
Volume8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 May 2017

Keywords

  • Pathogenesis
  • Prevalence
  • Prevention
  • Treatment
  • Vibrio vulnificus

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