Bullae and Sweat Gland Necrosis in the Differential Diagnosis for Vibrio vulnificus Infection in an Alcoholic Patient.
10.3346/jkms.2011.26.3.450
- Author:
Gun Wook KIM
1
;
Hyun Je PARK
;
Hoon Soo KIM
;
Su Han KIM
;
Hyun Chang KO
;
Moon Bum KIM
;
Byung Soo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea. dockbs@pusan.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Alcohol;
Bullae and Sweat Gland Necrosis;
Sweat Glands;
Vibrio vulnificus infection
- MeSH:
*Alcoholic Intoxication/etiology;
Alcoholism/diagnosis;
Blister/complications/*diagnosis;
Cellulitis/diagnosis;
Diagnosis, Differential;
Fasciitis, Necrotizing/diagnosis;
Humans;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Necrosis/complications/diagnosis;
Sweat Gland Diseases/complications/*diagnosis;
Vibrio Infections/diagnosis
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2011;26(3):450-453
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Bullae and sweat gland necrosis remain rare cutaneous manifestation, and these conditions can be misdiagnosed as Vibrio vulnificus infections or other soft tissue infections because of their low index of suspicion. A 46-yr-old man with a history of continued alcohol consumption presented with erythematous and hemorrhagic bullous lesions on his left arm. The patient reported that after the ingestion of clams, he slept for 12 hr in a heavily intoxicated state. Then the skin lesions started as a reddish patch that subsequently became hemorrhagic bullae. V. vulnificus infection, cellulitis, and necrotizing fasciitis were considered in initial differential diagnosis. However, on the basis of sweat gland necrosis on histopathologic examinations and negative results on bacterial cultures, we made the diagnosis of bullae and sweat gland necrosis. Therefore, bullae and sweat gland necrosis should also be considered in chronic alcoholic patients who present with bullae and a previous history of unconsciousness.
