The Role of Gulf Coast Oysters Harvested in Warmer Months inVibrio vulnificusInfections in the United States, 1988–1996

Abstract

Vibrio vulnificus infections are highly lethal and associated with consumption of raw shellfish and exposure of wounds to seawater. V. vulnificus infections were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 23 states. For primary septicemia infections, oyster trace-backs were performed and water temperature data obtained at harvesting sites. Between 1988 and 1996, 422 infections were reported; 45% were wound infections, 43% primary septicemia, 5% gastroenteritis, and 7% from undetermined exposure. Eighty-six percent of patients were male, and 96% with primary septicemia consumed raw oysters. Sixty-one percent with primary septicemia died; underlying liver disease was associated with fatal outcome. All trace-backs with complete information implicated oysters harvested in the Gulf of Mexico; 89% were harvested in water ú22ЊC, the mean annual temperature at the harvesting sites (P õ .0001). Control measures should focus on the increased risk from oysters harvested from the Gulf of Mexico during warm months as well as education about host susceptibility factors.Vibrio vulnificus is a gram-negative, halophilic bacterium to infections have not previously been studied, and a safe harvesting temperature has not been defined. that inhabits marine and estuarine environments and causes three syndromes of clinical illness in humans: gastroenteritis, Here we summarize data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Gulf Coast Surveillance System, wound infections, and primary septicemia [1]. Although gastroenteritis is self-limited and rarely reported, wound infections which has collected epidemiologic and clinical information about V. vulnificus infections in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and primary septicemia are highly lethal conditions that occur most often among persons with liver disease or other immunoand Texas since 1988. To assess the contribution of environmental factors in the epidemiology of V. vulnificus infections, compromising conditions [2 -4]. Primary septicemia with V. vulnificus is usually associated with the consumption of raw we also studied the association between reported infections and water temperature at oyster harvesting sites. The clinical and oysters; it is probably the leading cause of seafood-associated fatalities in the United States.environmental information described highlights potential control measures for reducing the number of V. vulnificus infecSince its first recognition as a pathogen in the 1970s [2,5], much has been learned about the effects of bacterial virulence, tions in the United States. host factors, and environmental conditions in the epidemiology of V. vulnificus infections. Vibrios proliferate in warm water Methods [6,7], and infections occur more commonly in warmer months [4,8]; however, the harvest site temperatures of oysters traced States participating in the Gulf Coast Vibrio Surveillance System were Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas; other states were also encouraged to report Vibrio infections to CDC. Investigators in state and c...

Climate variability and change in the United States: potential impacts on water- and foodborne diseases caused by microbiologic agents.

“…However, the local environment interacts with microbial spread in multiple and complex ways. V. vulnificus is a naturally occurring estuarine bacterium that causes a high percentage of mortality associated with contaminated shellfish consumption (61,79).…”

Long-term effects of ocean warming on the prokaryotic community: evidence from the vibrios

“…Undoubtedly, the most well-known member of the genus is Vibrio cholerae, the aetiological agent of epidemic cholera (Kaper et al, 1995). Other vibrios capable of causing disease in humans include V. parahaemolyticus, the agent of seafood-associated gastroenteritis worldwide (Levin, 2006), and V. vulnificus, the cause of septicaemia and serious wound infections, as well as the leading cause of shellfish-associated deaths in the United States (Shapiro et al, 1998). Several Vibrio species are also pathogenic towards marine animals, including molluscs (Paillard et al, 2004), corals and fish (Austin, 2005), with major economic and environmental impacts.…”

Successful Treatment of a Case of Necrotizing Fasciitis due to <i>Vibrio vulnificus</i> in a Cold Climate in Japan

“…V. vulnificus grows in relatively lowsalinity, brackish and coastal regions at water temperatures of 20 and higher (3,5,6). According to Oishi et al, most of V. vulnificus infection cases were reported in Western Japan (9).…”

“…V. vulnificus infection is a highly lethal disease that causes serious skin and soft tissue infections and sepsis (1). Patients with weakened immune systems, particularly those with chronic hepatic disorders, diabetes, and alcoholism, are known to be at high risk of developing this infection (2)(3)(4). The infection develops via the following modes: primary septicemia, wounds, and gastrointestinal infections (1).…”

“…The infection develops via the following modes: primary septicemia, wounds, and gastrointestinal infections (1). The incidence of V. vulnificus infection shows seasonal and regional patterns because V. vulnificus grows in warm water temperatures around 20 and lower salinity at coastal regions (3,5,6).…”