Atypical manifestation of Vibrio cholerae: fear the water!

Abstract

Background: In recent years, there has been an universal increase in number of reports of infections involving non-O1, non-O139 V. cholerae (NOVC). NOVC infection is only rarely complicated by septicaemia or invasive extra-intestinal infection.

Case summary: We report the first documented case of NOVC bacteraemia in a Belgian immunocompetent male after ingestion of water when paddling in a creek.

Conclusion: Clinicians should include V. cholerae in their differential diagnosis in patients presenting with a self-limiting gastroenteritis after ingestion of raw and undercooked seafood or bathing in potentially contaminated recreational waters during warm summers.

Keywords:

• Bacteraemia
• gastroenteritis
• non-O1, non-O139 V. cholerae
• NOVC
• Vibrio cholerae

Abbreviations:

• NOVC: non-O1, non-O139 V. cholerae
• MALDI- TOF: matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time- -of-flight

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all technicians of the laboratory of AZ Alma and the reference laboratory for their work and dedication.