Skin and soft tissue infections and bacteremia caused by Vibrio cincinnatiensis

Abstract

Vibrio cincinnatiensis is a halophilic species found in marine and estuarine environments worldwide. It is a rare pathogen whose impact on humans has remained unclear; only two cases of V. cincinnatiensis infection have been reported in humans, so far. A 63-year-old man with a history of myocardial infarction and type 2 diabetes mellitus presented to the emergency department with fever and dyspnea. Physical examination demonstrated notable abdominal distension and bilateral lower leg edema. marked abdominal distension and bilateral lower leg edema. The patient was diagnosed with bacteremia and exacerbated heart failure. Blood and skin cultures revealed the presence of the gram-negative pathogen V. cincinnatiensis. Combined antibiotic therapy using intravenous tazobactam /piperacillin resulted in a gradual recovery with no recurrence observed at the 9-month follow-up. To the best of our knowledge, this is the third case of V. cincinnatiensis infection reported in humans and the first one to be associated with skin and soft tissue infection. We suggest that although V. cincinnatiensis is a rare pathogen, it should be considered as a potential infective agent in the differential diagnosis of immunocompromised patients, regardless of any recent exposure to seawater or marine products.

Keywords

• Vibrio cincinnatiensis
• Skin and soft tissue infection
• Bacteremia