Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus can grow rapidly in shellfish subjected to ambient air conditions, such as during intertidal exposure. In this study, levels of total and pathogenic (tdh ؉ and/or trh ؉ ) V. parahaemolyticus and total V. vulnificus were determined in oysters collected from two study locations where intertidal harvest practices are common. Samples were collected directly off intertidal flats, after exposure (ambient air [Washington State] or refrigerated [New Jersey]), and after reimmersion by natural tidal cycles. Samples were processed using a most-probable-number (MPN) real-time PCR method for total and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus or V. vulnificus. In Washington State, the mean levels of V. parahaemolyticus increased 1.38 log MPN/g following intertidal exposure and dropped 1.41 log MPN/g after reimmersion for 1 day, but the levels were dependent upon the container type utilized. Pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus levels followed a similar trend. However, V. vulnificus levels increased 0.10 log MPN/g during intertidal exposure in Washington but decreased by >1 log MPN/g after reimmersion. In New Jersey, initial levels of all vibrios studied were not significantly altered during the refrigerated sorting and containerizing process. However, there was an increase in levels after the first day of reimmersion by 0.79, 0.72, 0.92, and 0.71 log MPN/g for total, tdh ؉ and trh ؉ V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus, respectively. The levels of all targets decreased to those similar to background after a second day of reimmersion. These data indicate that the intertidal harvest and handling practices for oysters that were studied in Washington and New Jersey do not increase the risk of illness from V. parahaemolyticus or V. vulnificus.
IMPORTANCEVibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus are the leading causes of seafood-associated infectious morbidity and mortality in the United States. Vibrio spp. can grow rapidly in shellfish subjected to ambient air conditions, such as during periods of intertidal exposure. When oysters are submersed with the incoming tide, the vibrios can be purged. However, data on the rates of increase and purging during intertidal harvest are scarce, which limits the accuracy of risk assessments. The objective of this study was to help fill these data gaps by determining the levels of total and pathogenic (tdh ؉ and/or trh ؉ ) V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in oysters from two locations where intertidal harvest practices are common, using the current industry practices. The data generated provide insight into the responses of Vibrio spp. to relevant practices of the industry and public health, which can be incorporated into risk management decisions. V ibrio spp. are the leading cause of seafood-associated infectious illness and mortality in the United States (1). The two species most frequently associated with infection are Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus. V. parahaemolyticus is the most frequent cause of vibriosis, and infection typi...
Obstacles in health-care service delivery and attitudinal barriers contribute to women being vulnerable to increased social and psychological costs resulting from infertility in developing countries. The present study uses quantitative data to examine women’s infertility experiences and its impact on their quality of life (QoL). Women seeking infertility treatments from reproductive health-care centres in Baluchistan, Pakistan participated in the study. Findings demonstrate that infertility has a significant influence on women’s health and QoL, irrespective of age, education, years in marriage, economic background and types of infertility. Given that women also experience several additional social consequences of infertility, such as a husband’s second marriage, fear of divorce, intimate-partner violence, social stigma and family pressure for a male child, social workers must comprehend the economic, social and cultural factors associated with infertility and its influence on health status and QoL. Findings have implications for prioritising an integrative intervention plan at the micro, mezzo and macro levels of practice to address the gaps and inequalities in the health care of infertile couples.
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