Liu J.-W.Lee I.-K.Tang H.-J.Ko W.-C.Lee H.-C.Liu Y.-C.PO-REN HSUEHChuang Y.-C.2020-12-182020-12-1820060003-9926https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/528793Background: Immunocompromised patients with Vibrio vulnificus septicemia are at high risk for fatality. When a hemorrhagic bullous necrotic cutaneous lesion (HBNCL) and decreased blood pressure develop, approximately 50% of V vulnificus septicemic patients die within 48 hours. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factor(s) for fatality among patients with V vulnificus septicemia, emphasizing the role of prescribed antimicrobial agents in general and the therapeutic efficacy of the combination of a third-generation cephalosporin and tetracycline or its analogue in particular. Methods: Patients with the diagnosis of V vulnificus infection admitted to 5 large medical centers in Taiwan between 1995 and 2003 were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those with HBNCLs and those without HBNCLs. Patients were further divided into subgoups without fatalities (fatal subgroup) and those without fatalities (nonfatal subgroup). Results: A total of 93 patients participated in the study. In group 1, the fatal subgroup had higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores (P=.006) and a higher proportion of shock at arrival at the medical center (P=.015) than the nonfatal subgroup. In group 2, the effect of a first- or secondgeneration cephalosporin plus an aminoglycoside was negative (P = .01) and that of combined third-generation cephalosporin and tetracycline or its analogue was positive (P<.001); significant differences were found between the fatal and nonfatal subgroups in the APACHE II score (P<.001), number who were in shock at arrival at the medical center (P=.02), delayed surgical intervention (P=.03), and peripheral leukocytosis (P=.03). Shock at arrival at the medical center (odds ratio [OR], 19.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.768-209.54; P=.02) was an independent risk factor for fatality in patients without HBNCLs. Use of a thirdgeneration cephalosporin and tetracycline or its analogue significantly reduced fatality rates in patients with HBNCLs (OR, 0.037; 95% CI, 0.007-0.192; P<.001). Conclusion: Septic shock is a determinant of fatality in patients with V vulnificus septicemia without HBNCLs; our data suggest that the combination of a third-generation cephalosporin and tetracycline or its analogue may be a better choice in antimicrobial treatment of V vulnificus septicemic patients with HBNCLs. ?2006 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.[SDGs]SDG3amikacin; aminoglycoside; aminoglycoside derivative; antibiotic agent; cefotaxime; ceftazidime; ceftriaxone; cephalosporin; cephalosporin derivative; ciprofloxacin; clindamycin; doxycycline; gentamicin; latamoxef; minocycline; netilmicin; oxytetracycline; penicillin derivative; tetracycline; tetracycline derivative; tobramycin; adult; aged; APACHE; article; controlled study; demography; drug choice; drug effect; drug efficacy; fatality; female; human; leukocytosis; major clinical study; male; prescription; priority journal; prognosis; retrospective study; risk factor; septic shock; septicemia; skin necrosis; vesicular rash; Vibrio vulnificus; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; APACHE; Bacteremia; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Taiwan; Treatment Outcome; Vibrio Infections; Vibrio vulnificusjournal article10.1001/archinte.166.19.2117170605422-s2.0-33750355395