Vibrio vulnificus as the cause of diseases classd elswhr

This code identifies Vibrio vulnificus as the infectious agent responsible for a patient's disease, when that disease is classified and coded elsewhere. Vibrio vulnificus is a gram-negative bacterium commonly found in warm seawater and brackish environments, known to cause severe infections, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems or liver disease.

Use this code as a secondary code when the primary diagnosis describes a condition caused by Vibrio vulnificus, such as cellulitis, sepsis, gastroenteritis, or necrotizing fasciitis. Documentation should explicitly state Vibrio vulnificus as the causative organism, often confirmed by laboratory culture or PCR. This code is appropriate when the specific disease is coded first.

• Always sequence this code after the code for the specific disease caused by Vibrio vulnificus.
• Ensure documentation clearly links Vibrio vulnificus to the patient's condition, not merely as a colonization or incidental finding.
• Do not use this code if the infection is unspecified or due to another Vibrio species; use more specific codes if available.