Prognosis

The prognosis for non-cholera Vibrio infections varies with underlying comorbidity and the clinical presentation of the infection.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus-associated gastroenteritis

In people without any underlying comorbidity, this is usually a self-limiting diarrhoeal illness lasting 1-7 days.[17]​​[68]​​​

Vibrio alginolyticus soft-tissue infection

This is often a self-limiting skin infection occasionally requiring a short course of oral antibiotic therapy.[35][69]​​​​

Vibrio vulnificus infection

Primary septicaemia has a higher case-fatality rate (28%) than wound infection (8%). Admission APACHE II scores of greater than 15 correlate with mortalities >50%.[70] Similarly, a Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (REMS) of 8 or more was significantly associated with increased mortality risk.[71] A delay in presentation to the accident and emergency department of greater than 3 days after injury or symptom onset is a predictor of increased mortality rate (13% if 3 days or fewer versus 55.6% if more than 3 days).[72]

Septic shock with associated necrotising soft-tissue infection has a mortality estimated at 23% compared with patients undergoing early fasciotomy and without shock of 4.9%.[61]

Admission to hospital may be complicated by prolonged intensive care unit stays, multiple surgical procedures for debridement of devitalised tissue, and possible limb amputation.

Hypoalbuminaemia of <20 g/L (<2 g/dL) statistically correlates with the outcome of death or major amputation.[62] Patients admitted to the intensive care unit with necrotising cellulitis or fasciitis, skin or soft tissue involvement of 2 or more limbs, or high APACHE II scores have significant risk of mortality.[63]

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