Photobacterium damsela Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Arm

Abstract

Photobacterium damsela is a gram-negative bacterium that is known to cause infection, most commonly in marine animals and rarely in humans. Photobacterium damsela typically results in skin and soft tissue infections in humans and has been associated with necrotizing fasciitis in several case reports. After an initially benign presentation, P damsela necrotizing fasciitis often progresses rapidly to multiorgan failure and death. Here, we present a fatal case of P damsela necrotizing fasciitis after a minor cut while scaling a fish with a discussion of current literature and treatment strategies.

Keywords: Necrotizing fasciitis; Photobacterium damsela; Vibrio damsela.