Vibrio vulnificus meningoencephalitis in a patient with thalassemia and a splenectomy

Abstract

Vibrio vulnificus usually causes wound infection, gastroenteritis, and septicemia. However, it is a rare conditional pathogen causing meningoencephalitis. We report a case of a young, immunocompromised man presenting with severe sepsis after exposure to sea water and consumption of seafood. The patient subsequently developed meningoencephalitis, and Vibrio vulnificus was isolated from his blood culture. The sequence was confirmed by Next-generation sequencing of a sample of cerebrospinal fluid, as well as from a bacteria culture. After the pathogen was detected, the patient was treated with ceftriaxone, doxycycline, and moxifloxacin for 6 weeks, which controlled his infection. In this case, we acquired his clinical and dynamic MRI presentations, which were never reported. Physicians should consider Vibrio vulnificus infections when they see a similar clinical course, brain CT and MRI findings, susceptibility factors and recent seafood ingestion or exposure to seawater. Due to high mortality, the early diagnosis and treatment of Vibrio vulnificus infections are crucial. Next-generation sequencing was found to be useful for diagnosis.