Non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae septicaemia in a Saudi man: a case report

• Published in: JMM Case Reports (Online) 2017-02, Vol.4 (2), p.e005077
• Main Authors: Kaki, Reham, El-Hossary, Dalia, Jiman-Fatani, Asif, Al-Ghamdi, Rahaf
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case Report
• ISSN: 2053-3721; 2053-3721
• DOI: 10.1099/jmmcr.0.005077

The non-O1/non-O139 serogroups of occur in diverse natural niches, and usually cause mild and self-limiting gastrointestinal illness. However, they have well-documented potential to cause invasive and extra-intestinal infections among immunocompromised patients. Furthermore, their ability to grow in low-salinity surface water, and the existence of asymptomatic human carriers, suggest novel acquisition routes for this unusual infection, even in people without obvious risk factors. A 62-year-old man presented with epigastric pain, vomiting and fever. The patient had a history of diabetes and cholecystectomy, although our initial examination did not reveal any significant findings that might indicate infection. However, blood cultures subsequently revealed the presence of , which was positively identified using both conventional and modern non-conventional technologies. The identity of the isolate was confirmed using Vitek MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight MS) and the FilmArray system, in addition to its initial identification using the Vitek 2 system. The septicaemia was successfully treated using a 14 day course of ciprofloxacin. The present case highlights the need to remain highly suspicious of non-O1/non-O139 infections in patients with known risk factors, as well as in healthy individuals with epidemiological exposure and compatible clinical symptoms. Special care should be taken to avoid false-positive results from confirmatory laboratory tests, as the organism can grow in fresh water, and the results should be verified using multiple methods.