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Vibrio Gastroenteritis — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

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EasyTropical & Imported InfectionsVibrio GastroenteritisSCE Infectious Diseases

A 58-year-old man with liver cirrhosis develops painless watery diarrhoea and abdominal cramps 3 days after eating raw oysters. Stool culture grows Vibrio parahaemolyticus. He has no features of sepsis. What is the most appropriate management?

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Correct answer: B — Supportive care with oral rehydration; antibiotics are not routinely indicated for uncomplicated gastroenteritis

V. parahaemolyticus gastroenteritis is typically self-limiting (2–3 days) and does not routinely require antibiotic therapy in immunocompetent patients with uncomplicated gastroenteritis. Oral rehydration is the mainstay. Antibiotics (Doxycycline or a fluoroquinolone) are reserved for severe or prolonged illness, immunocompromised patients, or if septicaemia develops. This is distinct from V. vulnificus, which causes severe septicaemia in liver disease and requires urgent antibiotics.

Reference: UKHSA 2023 – Vibrio infections; WHO 2024 – Food-borne infections