Vibrio vulnificus septicemia in Spain

Vibrio vulnificus is a virulent marine organism, able to contaminate sea-food. It usually produces bacteremia associated with secondary skin lesions in patients with underlying conditions, such as hepatic cirrhosis. We report a case of septic shock and characteristic skin lesions, due to Vibrio vulnificus in a patient with cirrhosis, who had eaten raw oysters. The patient survived in spite of the severity of the clinical picture. We conclude that Vibrio vulnificus infection must be considered in the differential diagnosis of sepsis and skin lesions.