Stingray Injury Complicated by Vibrio alginolyticus Wound Infection and Posterior Tibial Artery Pseudoaneurysm in a Returning Traveler

Amy Carroll Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom;
Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom;

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Melissa Chowdhury Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom;

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Charlotte Zheng Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom;

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Sorfina Ghazali Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom;

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Shara Palanivel Department of Clinical Microbiology, University College London Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom;

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Steven L. Walker Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom;
Department of Dermatology, University College London Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom;
Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom

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Alex Kew Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom;

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ABSTRACT.

Stingray injury is common in temperate and tropical waters worldwide. The majority of injuries are minor and can be managed with simple first aid at the shoreline; however, serious complications can occur. We report a case of Vibrio alginolyticus wound infection, retained foreign body, and posterior tibial artery pseudoaneurysm after stingray envenomation in a returning traveler. The patient presented with severe pain and dysesthesia associated with a puncture wound in the left lower leg 1 week after injury in Seychelles. Clinician awareness of infection and trauma-related complications of stingray and other penetrating marine injuries is important.

Author Notes

Financial support: Payment of publication fees was supported by the Hospital for Tropical Diseases Charitable Fund.

Current contact information: Amy Carroll, Melissa Chowdhury, Charlotte Zheng, Sorfina Ghazali, Steven L. Walker, and Alex Kew, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom, E-mails: amy.carroll2@nhs.net, melissa.chowdhury@nhs.net, charlotte.zheng@nhs.net, sofina.ghazali1@nhs.net, steve.walker@lshtm.ac.uk, and a.kew@nhs.net. Shara Palanivel, University College London Hospitals Clinical Microbiology and Virology Department, University College London Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom, E-mail: shara.palanivel@nhs.net.

Address correspondence to Amy Carroll, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Mortimer Market Centre, Mortimer Market, Capper St., London WC1E 6JD. E-mail: amy.carroll2@nhs.net
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