Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that can cause foodborne illness in those who eat contaminated foods, such as shellfish and certain finfish, or have an open wound that is exposed to seawater. Among healthy people, ingestion of Vibrio vulnificus can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In immunocompromised persons, particularly those with chronic liver disease, Vibrio vulnificus can infect the bloodstream, causing a severe and life-threatening illness characterized by fever and chills, sepsis and blistering skin lesions. Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections are fatal about 50% of the time.
Persons who are immunocompromised, especially those with chronic liver disease, are at risk for Vibrio vulnificus when they eat raw seafood, particularly oysters. A recent study showed that people with these pre-existing medical conditions were 80 times more likely to develop Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections than were healthy people. The bacterium is frequently isolated from oysters and other shellfish in warm coastal waters during the summer months. Since it is naturally found in warm marine waters, people with open wounds can be exposed to Vibrio vulnificus through direct contact with seawater.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Richard J. Arsenault, 2010
