<i>Vibrio vulnificus</i>—A Review with a Special Focus on Sepsis
<i>Vibrio vulnificus</i> (<i>V. vulnificus</i>) is a Gram-negative, halophilic bacillus known for causing severe infections such as gastroenteritis, necrotizing fasciitis, and septic shock, with mortality rates exceeding 50% in high-risk individuals. Transmission occurs prima...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Marcello Candelli Marta Sacco Fernandez Cristina Triunfo Andrea Piccioni Veronica Ojetti Francesco Franceschi Giulia Pignataro |
| author_facet | Marcello Candelli Marta Sacco Fernandez Cristina Triunfo Andrea Piccioni Veronica Ojetti Francesco Franceschi Giulia Pignataro |
| author_sort | Marcello Candelli |
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| description | <i>Vibrio vulnificus</i> (<i>V. vulnificus</i>) is a Gram-negative, halophilic bacillus known for causing severe infections such as gastroenteritis, necrotizing fasciitis, and septic shock, with mortality rates exceeding 50% in high-risk individuals. Transmission occurs primarily through the consumption of contaminated seafood, exposure of open wounds to infected water, or, in rare cases, insect bites. The bacterium thrives in warm, brackish waters with high salinity levels, and its prevalence is rising due to the effects of climate change, including warming ocean temperatures and expanding coastal habitats. High-risk populations include individuals with underlying conditions such as chronic liver disease, diabetes, or immunosuppression, which heighten susceptibility to severe outcomes. The pathogenicity of <i>V. vulnificus</i> is mediated by an array of virulence factors, including hemolysins, proteases, and capsular polysaccharides, as well as mechanisms facilitating iron acquisition and immune system evasion. Clinical manifestations range from localized gastrointestinal symptoms to life-threatening systemic infections such as septicemia. Rare but severe complications, including pneumonia and meningitis, have also been reported. Treatment typically involves the use of doxycycline in combination with third-generation cephalosporins, although the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains is an escalating concern. Alternative therapeutic approaches under investigation include natural compounds such as resveratrol and the application of antimicrobial blue light. For necrotizing infections, prompt and aggressive surgical intervention remains essential to improving patient outcomes. As global temperatures continue to rise, understanding the epidemiology of <i>V. vulnificus</i> and developing innovative therapeutic strategies are critical to mitigating its growing public health impact. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4abe451a9ece4861a6a4130d8e9eb072 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-4abe451a9ece4861a6a4130d8e9eb0722025-01-24T13:42:45ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-01-0113112810.3390/microorganisms13010128<i>Vibrio vulnificus</i>—A Review with a Special Focus on SepsisMarcello Candelli0Marta Sacco Fernandez1Cristina Triunfo2Andrea Piccioni3Veronica Ojetti4Francesco Franceschi5Giulia Pignataro6Emergency, Anesthesiological and Reanimation Sciences Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli—IRCCS of Rome, 00168 Rome, ItalyEmergency, Anesthesiological and Reanimation Sciences Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli—IRCCS of Rome, 00168 Rome, ItalyEmergency, Anesthesiological and Reanimation Sciences Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli—IRCCS of Rome, 00168 Rome, ItalyEmergency, Anesthesiological and Reanimation Sciences Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli—IRCCS of Rome, 00168 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Internal Medicine, UniCamillus International Medical University of Rome, 00131 Rome, ItalyEmergency, Anesthesiological and Reanimation Sciences Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli—IRCCS of Rome, 00168 Rome, ItalyEmergency, Anesthesiological and Reanimation Sciences Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli—IRCCS of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy<i>Vibrio vulnificus</i> (<i>V. vulnificus</i>) is a Gram-negative, halophilic bacillus known for causing severe infections such as gastroenteritis, necrotizing fasciitis, and septic shock, with mortality rates exceeding 50% in high-risk individuals. Transmission occurs primarily through the consumption of contaminated seafood, exposure of open wounds to infected water, or, in rare cases, insect bites. The bacterium thrives in warm, brackish waters with high salinity levels, and its prevalence is rising due to the effects of climate change, including warming ocean temperatures and expanding coastal habitats. High-risk populations include individuals with underlying conditions such as chronic liver disease, diabetes, or immunosuppression, which heighten susceptibility to severe outcomes. The pathogenicity of <i>V. vulnificus</i> is mediated by an array of virulence factors, including hemolysins, proteases, and capsular polysaccharides, as well as mechanisms facilitating iron acquisition and immune system evasion. Clinical manifestations range from localized gastrointestinal symptoms to life-threatening systemic infections such as septicemia. Rare but severe complications, including pneumonia and meningitis, have also been reported. Treatment typically involves the use of doxycycline in combination with third-generation cephalosporins, although the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains is an escalating concern. Alternative therapeutic approaches under investigation include natural compounds such as resveratrol and the application of antimicrobial blue light. For necrotizing infections, prompt and aggressive surgical intervention remains essential to improving patient outcomes. As global temperatures continue to rise, understanding the epidemiology of <i>V. vulnificus</i> and developing innovative therapeutic strategies are critical to mitigating its growing public health impact.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/128<i>Vibrio vulnificus</i>sepsismicrobiologyvirulence factorantibiotic |
| spellingShingle | Marcello Candelli Marta Sacco Fernandez Cristina Triunfo Andrea Piccioni Veronica Ojetti Francesco Franceschi Giulia Pignataro <i>Vibrio vulnificus</i>—A Review with a Special Focus on Sepsis Microorganisms <i>Vibrio vulnificus</i> sepsis microbiology virulence factor antibiotic |
| title | <i>Vibrio vulnificus</i>—A Review with a Special Focus on Sepsis |
| title_full | <i>Vibrio vulnificus</i>—A Review with a Special Focus on Sepsis |
| title_fullStr | <i>Vibrio vulnificus</i>—A Review with a Special Focus on Sepsis |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Vibrio vulnificus</i>—A Review with a Special Focus on Sepsis |
| title_short | <i>Vibrio vulnificus</i>—A Review with a Special Focus on Sepsis |
| title_sort | i vibrio vulnificus i a review with a special focus on sepsis |
| topic | <i>Vibrio vulnificus</i> sepsis microbiology virulence factor antibiotic |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/1/128 |
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