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 diarrheal illness lasting 1-7 days.[10]​​​​[62]

Vibrio alginolyticus soft-tissue infection

This is often a self-limiting skin infection occasionally requiring a short course of oral antibiotic therapy.[28][39]

Vibrio vulnificus infection

Primary septicemia has a higher case-fatality rate (28%) than wound infection (8%). Admission APACHE II scores of greater than 15 correlate with mortalities >50%.[63] Similarly, a Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (REMS) of 8 or more was significantly associated with increased mortality risk.[64] A delay in presentation to the 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 greater than 3 days).[65]

Septic shock with associated necrotizing soft-tissue infection has a mortality estimated at 23% compared with patients undergoing early fasciotomy and without shock of 4.9%.[55]

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

Hypoalbuminemia of <2 g/dL statistically correlates with the outcome of death or major amputation.[56] Patients admitted to the intensive care unit with necrotizing cellulitis or fasciitis, skin or soft tissue involvement of 2 or more limbs, or high APACHE II scores have significant risk of mortality.[57]

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