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www.CHESTERCMS.org

chills. Make sure you tell your healthcare provider that you own
fish/fish tanks or that your skin wound was exposed to saltwater.
The earlier you seek help, the better your outcome will be. In
the meantime, clean the wound with soap and sterile fresh water
and sterilize the wound with Betadine, hydrogen peroxide or
antibacterial ointment and get to your nearest emergency room.
How can we prevent this rare but serious infection? If you
have a visible skin wound or cut on your fingers, hands or arms,
try to avoid contact with your fish tank all together. Avoid or use
caution when participating in recreational water activities as well.
If you cannot, try to cover the area with tissue glue, ointment or a
waterproof bandage and wear gloves. Wash hands with soap and
warm water after handling your tank. Good hygiene can insure
that you continue to enjoy your hobby.

6. Shapiro RL, et al. The role of Gulf Coast oysters harvested in warmer
months in Vibrio vulnificus infections in the United States, 1988-1996.
Vibrio working group. J Infect Dis. 1998 Sep; 178(3): 752-9.
7. Martinez-Urtaza et al. Spread of Pacific Northwest Vibrio
parahaemolyticus strain. New Engl J Med 2013; 369-1573-1574. October
17, 2013.
8. Florida State Department; www.floridahealth.gov/vibrio
9. Vibrio vulnificus: Florida reports eight cases 2 deaths; www.
healthmap.org/vibrio
10. Barbarite et al. Pathogenic Vibrio Bacteria in the Indian River
Lagoon and their potential threat to Human Health. Florida Atlantic
University. www.fau.edu/hboi/harbor/vibrio
11. Enjoy the water, but be smart and avoid the Vibriosis. The University
of Southern Mississippi. Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.
12. NBC News - "31 in Florida infected by bacteria in Saltwater"

Liza Perez Jodry, MD
Secretary, Chester County Medical Society
Co-Chair Department of Pathology and Laboratory
Medicine Director of Clinical Pathology
Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital
Co-owner of Coralust Reef Solutions, LLC, specializing
in saltwater aquarium equipment, live coral and fish
sales
References:
1. Hendren et al. Vibrio vulnificus septic shock due to a contaminated
tattoo. BMJ Case Reports 2017; published online May 27, 2017.
2. CDC reports. Increase in Vibrio parahaemolyticus illnesses with
consumption of shellfish from several Atlantic coast harvest areas, United
States, 2013. www.cdc.gov/vibrio
3. CDC reports. Vibrio species causing Vibriosis. www.cdc.gov/vibrio
4. Schwartz, RA et al. Vibrio vulnificus infection: Background,
Pathophysiology, Epidemiology. Emedicine. medscape.com/article/1055523.
June 7, 2017.
5. Jones, MR et al. Vibrio vulnificus: Disease and Pathogenesis. American
Society for Microbiology. Infection and Immunity. 2009. www.iai.asm.org/
content/77/5/1723

22 CHESTER COUNT Y Medicine | SUMMER 2017

13. CNN News - "Man dies after swimming with new tattoo"
14. Vibrio vulnificus - Wikipedia. www.wikipedia.org/wiki/vibrio_
vulnificus
15. Vibrio parahaemolyticus - Wikipedia. www.wikipedia.org/wiki/
vibrio_parahaemolyticus
16. Smith, Tara. The water-borne Vibrio vulnificus bacteria: What are
the risks? The scientificparent.org. June 24, 2015. www.scientificparent.org/
the-water-borne-vibrio-vulnificus
17. Texas health and human services infectious disease control Vibrio
vulnificus. www.dshs.Texas.gov/idcu/disease/vibrio/vulnificus
18. Texas health and human services infectious disease control Vibrio
parahaemolyticus. www.dshs.Texas.gov/idcu/disease/vibrio/parahaemolytic
19. Kathleen Wong. Flesh eating bacteria in Texas 2016 update: Vibrio
vulnificus and necrotizing fasciitis. MicDaly.com
20. Herriman, Robert. Florida reports 10 Vibrio vulnificus deaths in
2016. www.outbreaknewstoday.com/florida-reports-10-vibrio-vulnificusdeaths-2016
21. Vibrio vulnificus-Uptodate. March 10, 2017. www.uptodate.com/
contents/vibrio-vulnificus-infecitons.
22. Vibrio vulnificus. Epidemiology. Virginia Department of Health.
www.vdh.gov
23. Daniels, NA. Vibrio vulnificus: Pears and Perils. Clinical Infectious
Diseases. Oxford Academic. 2011; 52(6):788-792.
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CCMS Medicine Summer 2017
