Vibrio

Background

Microbiology

• Genus of motile, catalase positive, non-lactose-fermenting, glucose-fermenting, oxidase positive Gram-negative bacillus within the family Vibrionaceae
• Except for Vibrio cholerae, all are halophilic (needs salt to grow) and associated with saltwater or brackish water exposures
• Includes the following species:
  • Vibrio vulnificus, cause of sepsis and necrotizing skin and soft tissue infections
  • Vibrio parahaemolyticus, cause of infectious diarrhea
  • Vibrio cholerae, cause of cholera
  • Vibrio alginolyticus
  • Vibrio cincinnatiensis
  • Vibrio fluvialis
  • Vibrio furnissii
  • Vibrio harveyi
  • Vibrio metschnikovii
  • Vibrio mimicus

Management

• Typically treated with third-generation cephalosporins