Vibrio vulnificus was enumerated in seawater and shellfish from two Florida estuaries at selected seasonal intervals. There were significant fluctuations in the presence and numbers of V. vulnificus. Relatively high seawater temperature and salinity favored the presence of V. vulnificus in both seawater and shellfish samples. Vibrio vulnificus is a lactose-fermenting, halophilic, gram-negative, and potentially pathogenic marine vibrio. Reports of its occurrence in seawater and association in human infections are increasing (2, 3, 5). It has been suggested that some Vibrio spp. may be indigenous to estuarine microflora (4). Kaneko and Colwell (4) have reported high levels of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in seawater during the warm months and low levels in cold months, appearing mostly in sediments. This study reports the seasonal occurrence of V. vulnificus in both seawater and shellfish from two Florida estuaries which are closely associated with both shellfish harvesting and recreational activities. Seawater, oyster, and clam samples were collected from three Tampa Bay and eight Apalachicola Bay stations (Fig. 1-3).
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