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Man and the Sea

Jeffrey M. Johnston, MD; Susan F. Becker, MPH; Louise M. McFarland, DPH

JAMA. 1985;253(19):2850-2853.

Abstract
To identify risk factors for Vibrio vulnificus infections, we performed a regional case-control study of 19 patients identified by isolates received at a state reference laboratory. Interviews with patients or surviving relatives and with three controls for each patient were compared in a matched analysis. Patients with V vulnificus wound infection were more likely than controls to have sustained a puncture wound while handling fresh seafood or to have been exposed to salt water. More patients with primary septicemia than controls had eaten raw oysters before the onset of illness. Other risk factors for septicemia included underlying liver disease, hematopoietic disorders, chronic renal insufficiency, use of immunosuppressive agents, and heavy alcohol consumption. Although V vulnificus infection is unusual, with a regional incidence of 0.8 per 100,000 population in this study, septicemia in the immunosuppressed patient is a devastating illness that can be prevented by not eating raw seafood.

(JAMA 1985;253:2850-2853)

Author Affiliations
From the Division of Field Services, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta (Dr Johnston); the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine (Ms Becker), and the Department of Health and Human Services (Dr McFarland), New Orleans. Dr Johnston is now with the Center for Infectious Diseases, Diagnostic Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Division of Field Services, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333 (Dr Johnston).

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