UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Infectious Disease

Title: Soft Tissue Infection in Cirrhotic Patients

Keywords: infection, cirrhosis (PubMed Search)

Posted: 4/4/2011 by Rob Rogers, MD (Updated: 3/19/2024)
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Hemorrhagic bullae in an ill-appearing patient with underlying cirrhosis should prompt consideration for an invasive infection due to Vibrio vulnificus.

V. Vulnificus is a gram negative rod and causes a highly lethal infection in patients with cirrhosis.

Antibiotics for these patients should include coverage for this organism. This should include doxycycline and a third genaration cephalosporin.

References

1. Evidence-Based Medicine: 500 Clues to Diagnosis and Treatment, Ellerin and Diaz

2. CDC