To explore the clinical characteristics of 19 cases of Vibrio vulnificus infection in Humen area.

The clinical data of 19 patients with Vibrio vulnificus infection admitted to Burn Plastic & Hand and Foot Surgery, Dongguan Binhai Bay Central Hospital from January 2018 to January 2023 were retrospectively analysed, observed the clinical characteristics and summarized the experience and lessons of treatment.

Vibrio vulnificus infection mostly occured in summer and autumn (13/19, 68.42%). The patients with metabolic disease or abnormal liver function were susceptible (11/19, 57.89%), and the prognosis of gout patients was relatively worse, the three deaths were all gout patients. There were 18 positive cases in bacterial culture of Vibrio vulnificus before the application of antibiotics on the day of admission, one positive case was found one day later. Afterwards, no Vibrio vulnificus was found in bacterial culture. The number of white blood cells were closely related to the percentage of neutrophils and the level of procalcitonin (r=0.972, P=0.000; r=0.861, P=0.006). The white blood cell levels gradually decreased along with the condition improved.

The infection of Vibrio vulnificus in Humen area mostly occurs in summer and autumn. Patients with metabolic diseases are more susceptible, and gout patients have a poor prognosis. Vibrio vulnificus is sensitive to most antibiotics. The white blood cell and procalcitonin are good indicators for the severity and prognosis.