Hemorragische cellulitis door bacteriën uit zeewater

Seawater bacteria can cause primary infection of the skin, and secondary infection of lacerations and ulcers of the skin, which is in contrast with the widespread notion that sea water cleanses and cures wounds. In particular patients with chronic underlying diseases are predisposed to infection with halophilic bacteria from areas with temperate climates such as Vibrio and Shewanella. Climate changes leading to increased seawater temperatures will probably cause an increase in skin infections caused by these bacteria in the forthcoming years in the Netherlands. In high-risk individuals, edema, erythema, and hemorrhagic bullae are followed by necrosis and gangrene. Primary sepsis is associated with consumption of contaminated shellfish, and usually shows similar skin lesions. Vibrio vulnificus sepsis has a 50% mortality rate.