However, the degree of this rise is still undergoing research, with hopes for a better understanding of how climate change will impact the pathogen and by extension, humans.
Vibrio vulnificus is a halophilic Gram‐negative bacterium naturally found in marine and estuarine waters and is commonly associated with water sediments and plankton (Oliver 2006).Increased densities of this bacterium are observed during warm months when seawater temperature reaches 20°C (Bryan et al. (12)(13) Interestingly, with such a high concentration, the actual occurrence of infection is much lower than expected.
The bacterium can cause severe gastroenteritis from consumption of raw seafood as well as wound infections and necrotizing fasciitis, with mortality rates for sepsis and wound infection at 50% and 17%, respectively [].Although infections are rare, V. The most common species causing human illness in the United States are Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio alginolyticus..
(5) Depending on its environment, changes induce production of heat shock proteins in response to different temperatures, changes in osmolarity, the presence of pollutants, or its interactions with other organisms. V. vulnificusbelongs to the family Vibrionaceaeand is found in warm coastal environments where water temperatures range from 9° to 31°C. This organism is also known to be “lactose-positive” with its fermentation of lactose, salicin and cellobiose. (2006). This organism can typically be found in salty, coastal waters, thriving especially in molluscan shellfish including oysters and clams, thereby causing health risks to those who ingest raw or undercooked seafood. Vibrio vulnificus, carrying a 50% fatality rate, is the most deadly of the foodborne pathogens. Some symptoms of infection depend on which way V. vulnificus enters the bloodstream, but primary septicemia can occur via either infection. Introduction. When water temperatures drop, specifically at or below 13°C, V. vulnificus is able to go into a dormant state, titled a “viable but nonculturable state” (VBNC). (20) It is the leading cause for the majority of all reported seafood-related deaths (95% in the US alone). This type differs from biotype one in multiple ways including the production of exoproteins and the O-antigenic side chain on the lipopolysaccharide molecule. A potential concern is whether rising global ocean temperatures will increase the rate of V. vulnificus infection. PLOS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, #C2354500, based in San Francisco, California, US (7) Infection can also result in primary septicemia with symptoms including severe hypotension and secondary lesions on extremities. It is the case of Enterococcus, a bacteria that originates from fecal pollution. (13) Besides this, other attacking strategies include the presence of a capsule to avoid host phagocytosis, biofilm formation, and pili for attaching to host cells and iron transfer.
(22) The most effective is tetracycline in a combination with gentamicin or chloraphenicol. (14) In addition to these defenses by V. vulnificus, it also produces an exotoxin, hemolysin (VvhA) that facilitates iron release from hemoglobin within the bloodstream.
All members of the genus are motile and have polar flagella with sheaths. However, recent research has found that V. vulnificus entry was carried over from tilapia, a mainly freshwater fish, within Israel (20). Wound infection, similar to entry via ingestion, can lead to primary septicemia. The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.The statewide toll-free hotline offers counseling information and referrals about
This bacterium may infect an individual via entry through ingestion or through a wound infection. Some of these enzymes and cytotoxins include proteases, endotoxin, lipopolysaccharides, hemolysin, lipases, DNAases and cytolysins. There is necrosis and large bullous skin lesions around the infected wound. Vibrio vulnificus (V. vulnificus) is a bacterium that occurs naturally in warm coastal areas, such as the Gulf of Mexico. It occurs in estuarine and coastal waters and it is found in especially high numbers in oysters and other molluscan shellfish.
Another survivability factor V. vulnificus uses is a generalized stress response. Note: This website focuses on vibriosis, not cholera, which is caused by other strains of Vibrio.To learn about cholera, visit CDC’s cholera website. The role of Gulf Coast oysters harvested in warmer months in Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Following Marine InjuriesThe Microbiology of Skin, Soft Tissue, Bone and Joint InfectionsScienceDirect ® is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V.