Published online Dec 16, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i35.13064
Peer-review started: September 7, 2022
First decision: September 27, 2022
Revised: October 2, 2022
Accepted: November 17, 2022
Article in press: November 17, 2022
Published online: December 16, 2022
We report on a case of Vibrio vulnificus (V. vulnificus) detected by metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in a 53-year-old male patient with polymicrobial gas gangrene and successful treatment by surgery. This report raises awareness among dermatologists that when a patient is clinically suspected of a special type of pathogenic infection, the mNGS method should be preferred to identify the patient’s pathogen infection as soon as possible and then take effective treatment in time to save patients’ lives.
A 53-year-old male who worked in the aquatic market complained of redness and swelling of the lower limbs, blisters and ulcers with fever for 3 d. We used mNGS to test the pathogens in ulcer secretions. The results were returned in 24 h and indicated: V. vulnificus, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Klebsiella aerogenes. This patient was diagnosed with V. vulnificus infection. The emergency operation was per
We could confirm the diagnosis of Vibrio vulnificus infection within 24 h through mNGS detection and then immediately performed emergency surgery.
Core Tip: We report on a case of Vibrio vulnificus detected by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in a 53-year-old male patient with polymicrobial gas gangrene and successful treatment by surgery. This report raises awareness among dermatologists that when a patient is clinically suspected of a special type of pathogenic infection, the mNGS method should be preferred to identify the patient’s pathogen infection as soon as possible, and then take effective treatment in time to save patients’ lives.