Acute Dysentery Syndrome Caused By Vibrio Fetus

VENEREALLY TRANSMITTED vibrio infections of cattle and sheep are a major cause of contagious abortion in these animals. The causative organism,Vibrio fetus, has rarely been encountered in human infections; approximately fewer than 25 well documented cases have been reported. Manifestations of the disease in humans have been so varied that a definite, clinically recognizable entity has not yet become known. The epidemiology of human cases has not been clearly established. This report describes an acute dysentery syndrome in an otherwise healthy man from whose blood Vfetuswas recovered. The rapid response to tetracycline hydrochloride is considered noteworthy. The clinical, bacteriological, and epidemiological findings are discussed. Report of a Case A 45-year-old retired Air Force sergeant employed as a post-office worker, was first seen at the Dispensary, Oakland Army Terminal, complaining of fever, chills, and diarrhea. The patient stated that he had been in excellent health until two days