Characteristics, symptoms, and outcomes of patients with Vibrio vulnificus infection in Hainan, China: A retrospective study

With global temperatures on the rise and an expanding seafood trade, infections by Vibrio vulnificus , particularly in warm coastal areas like Hainan, China, are increasingly prevalent. These bacteria are notorious for causing grave infections with a high fatality rate. This study aims to dissect the clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment modalities, and patient outcomes associated with V vulnificus infections in Hainan Province. The medical records and clinical data of intensive care unit patients from Hainan General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Conventional sequencing and metagenomic sequencing were used to identify V vulnificus . The study involved 10 patients (9 males and 1 female) with a median age of 60.5 years, predominantly fishermen, with infections mainly occurring between May and October. Of note, 2 cases were linked to plant-related injuries. The typical manifestations included fever, pain, swelling, hemorrhagic vesicles, septic shock, and multi-organ dysfunction. It was found that delayed hospital admissions were associated with elevated Sequential Organ Failure Assessment and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores and increased mortality. Laboratory results indicated a robust inflammatory response, and interventions comprised antibiotic therapy and surgical procedures. A mortality rate of 50% was recorded. Vigilance for V vulnificus infections is crucial in coastal locales. The study endorses immediate and assertive treatment strategies, including the use of targeted antibiotics and surgical interventions, to enhance patient survival rates. A call for heightened awareness, intensified surveillance, and expanded research is essential to combat this life-threatening condition.