Disease Caused by a Marine Vibrio

Abstract

We studied the clinical characteristics and epidemiology of disease associated with a rare, unnamed halophilic lactose-fermenting Vibrio species in 39 persons from whom the organism had been isolated. Two distinct clinical presentations were seen. In the first, the illness began with septicemia, often within 24 hours after raw oysters had been eaten; 18 of 24 such patients had pre-existing hepatic disease, and 11 of the 24 died. In the second, there was a wound infection after exposure to seawater or an injury incurred during the handling of crabs; none of these persons had pre-existing hepatic disease, and one of 15 died. Most cases (85 per cent) occurred during relatively warm months (May to October) in men (90 per cent) 40 or more years of age (95 per cent). This Vibrio species is a pathogen and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of septicemia with secondary skin lesions and of wound infections after exposure to seawater.

Isolation and preliminary characterization of bacteriocins produced by Vibrio vulnificus

“…Vibrio vulnificus causes 95% of all seafood-related deaths in the USA from raw seafood consumption (Oliver 1989). In addition to seafood-associated illnesses, V. vulnificus can also cause wound infections (Blake et al 1979).…”

“…An epidemiological study of 39 patients from January 1964 to June 1977 provided the first clinical recognition of infections from V. vulnificus. Those patients who had consumed raw oysters typically developed primary septicaemia (Blake et al 1979).…”

Vibrio vulnificus Cytolysin Induces Superoxide Anion-initiated Apoptotic Signaling Pathway in Human ECV304 Cells

“…V. vulnificus causes wound infections and septicemia when he comes into contact with seawater or when contaminated seafood is consumed (1,2). A number of factors have been implicated as contributing to disease caused by V.…”

“…vulnificus cytolysin (VVC) 1 is a water-soluble polypeptide with a M r of 51,000 (9,10). VVC is extremely toxic, and even a submicrogram amounts cytolysin is fatal to mice when injected intravenously.…”

Purification and Characterization of Vibrio vulnificus Protease

“…The illnesses caused by Vibrio vulnificus, a marine bacterium, are divided into two groups, wound-infection group and primary septicemia group (2,3). In the former, edema and erythema are formed around a new wound in contact with sea water.…”