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Non-cholera Vibrio spp. invasive infections in the summer following May 2023 flood disaster in Romagna, Italy: a case series

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Abstract

Non-cholera Vibrio spp. includes ubiquitous organisms living in aquatic environments. Their occurrence is associated with global warming and meteorological disasters. In May 2023 the Romagna region, Italy, was affected by severe floods. In the following 15 weeks we observed 5 patients with invasive infections caused by V. vulnificus (3/5) and V. harveyi (2/5). All patients (median age 77 years) had medical comorbidities and shared exposure to seawater. Two patients needed surgery; 2 died. In conclusion, we observed an increased burden of Vibrio spp. invasive infections after May 2023 floods, affecting old patients with predisposing medical conditions.

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Fig. 1

Data availability

Clinical, laboratory and radiological reports concerning the case described in this manuscript are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

The authors received no financial support to produce this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Infectious Diseases Unit, Ravenna Hospital, Ravenna, Italy

    I. Zaghi, G. Tebano, E. Vanino, P. Bassi & P. Tatarelli

  2. Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy

    I. Zaghi, M. Cricca & V. Sambri

  3. Infectious Diseases Unit, Rimini Hospital, Rimini, Italy

    G. Vandi & C. Biagetti

  4. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)-Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy

    M. Cricca & V. Sambri

  5. Clinical and Organizational Research Unit, Romagna AUSL, Ravenna, Italy

    M. Fantini

  6. Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Ravenna Hospital, Ravenna, Italy

    F. Di Antonio & M. Terzitta

  7. Department of Surgery and Trauma, Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Maurizio Bufalini Hospital, Cesena, AUSL Della Romagna, Italy

    E. Russo

  8. Infectious Diseases Unit, Forlì and Cesena Hospitals, Forlì and Cesena, Italy

    F. Cristini

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  1. I. Zaghi
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Contributions

IZ, PT and GT contributed to conception and design of the manuscript; MF provided the data from microbiology records; all authors contributed to the clinical management of patients and critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content; all authors contributed to the writing of the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to I. Zaghi.

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As case report based on normal clinical practice, it was not mandatory the approval by local Ethical Committee.

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A freely-given informed consent was obtained from patients or care givers.

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All authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript.

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Appendix 1

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Fig. 2

Fig. 2
figure 2

Map of Emilia-Romagna and areas of exposure of included patients

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Zaghi, I., Tebano, G., Vanino, E. et al. Non-cholera Vibrio spp. invasive infections in the summer following May 2023 flood disaster in Romagna, Italy: a case series. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-024-04842-7

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