THE CHARACTERISTICS of a newly recognized halophilicVibriowere described by Hollis et al in 1976.1This organism was initially referred to as a lactose-positiveVibrio, but it has subsequently been given the nameVibrio (Beneckea) vulnificus.2Several cases ofV vulnificusinfection have been reported,3,4and Blake et al5have summarized the clinical features of these infections.Vibrio vulnificusinfections may be manifested as localized infections of wounds exposed to seawater or as bacteremic infections possibly related to consumption of seafood. The latter infections often develop in patients with preexisting chronic liver disease, and they have a high mortality. Many of these patients also experience vesicular or bullous lesions on the extremities 24 to 72 hours after the onset of bacteremia. We describe a fatal case of primary septicemia caused byV vulnificusin a previously healthy man with frequent exposure to the sea. We