Brent Norman contraiu a bactéria após pisar em conchas durante uma caminhada em Charleston.
SÃO PAULO, SP (UOL/FOLHAPRESS) – An American was infected by a ” mesocarp- eating ” bacteria after stepping on shells on the coast of South Carolina (USA).
Brent Norman contracted the bacteria after stepping on shells during a journey in Charleston. He has a habit of walking between Sullivan and Palms Islands to complete his goal of 20,000 daily steps, he explained to via WCIV.
That day, he says the tide was high and “unfortunately” he ended up stepping on several shells. The incident happened at the end of April.
In the following days, he began to feel pain in his right foot . “Once upon a time, someone had pierced my foot with a nail. At that moment, I wasn’t walking anymore.”
It took Brent almost a week to see a doctor. “Everyone in the waiting room was wide-eyed. I could tell people were uncomfortable sitting next to me.”
The diagnosis carried out:
The diagnosis was that he had contracted the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus, which enters the body through open wounds. He probably became infected by stepping on a valve .
Vibrio bacteria thrive in warm temperatures, including ocean or flood waters. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control says that between the months of May and October, there are higher concentrations of the bacteria in the ocean.
Vibrio vulnificus is known as a ” mesocarp eater ” because it can develop into necrotizing fasciitis, which causes tissue breakdown . The bacteria can cause sepsis if it enters the bloodstream – and, in some cases, can lead to amputations to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.
Danger of death:
Without treatment, the bacteria can also lead to death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one in five infected people dies. In the USA, there are around 200 cases per year.
Brent is taking antibiotics and is still recovering. “My reward is living at the beach and I intend to continue doing that, as soon as my foot is healed I will be back at the beach.”