V. vulnificus is a motile, halophilic, Gram-negative bacillus found worldwide, primarily in warm coastal waters. The
bacterium is capable of causing illness ranging from mild gastroenteritis to necrotizing soft-tissue infection and septic
shock. Severe infection occurs primarily in patients with chronic liver diseases, immunodeficiency, and iron storage diseases. Despite the large number of individuals at risk for infection, the reported number of cases of V. vulnificus-related disease is relatively small. Most infections in the USA occur from April to October when bacterial counts are higher. Most cases result from ingestion or handling of raw contaminated seafood (usually raw oysters in the USA) or from exposure of open wounds to seawater.