Current perspectives on the epidemiology and pathogenesis of clinically significant Vibrio spp

Abstract

Recent taxonomic advances have now implicated several different Vibrio species as human pathogens. While the most common clinical presentation of Vibrio infection continues to be gastroenteritis, an increasing number of extraintestinal infections are being reported, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Detection of Vibrio infections requires a good clinical history and the use of appropriate isolation and identification procedures by the laboratory to confirm illnesses attributed to Vibrio species. Except for Vibrio cholerae O1 and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, there is little direct evidence linking the production of a myriad of cell-associated or extracellular factors produced by each species with human disease and pathogenesis. Many questions regarding pathogenic Vibrio species remain unanswered, including their frequency and distribution in environmental specimens (water, shellfish), infective doses, virulence potential of individual isolates, and markers associated with such strains.

Seasonal variations in the occurrence of Vibriovulnificusalong the Dutch coast

“…DISCUSSION In 1979 the name V. vulnificus was given to a Vibrio species of which the characteristics were described in 1976 [9,10]. V. vulnificus has been isolated from numerous marine environments; the highest densities are generally found in areas of high temperature and low to moderate salinity [1]. An in-vitro study of growth characteristics of environmental isolates of V. vulnificus demonstrated salinity optima of 10-20% NaCl and a temperature optimum of 37 'C [11].…”

“…Thirty-four Vibrio species are currently recognized in the genus, a third of which are known to be pathogenic for humans [1]. The halophilic Vibrio species, V. parahaemolyticuas, V. alginolyticus and V. vulnificus are known to be involved in intestinal as well as in extra-intestinal human infections [2].…”

Analysis of some virulence factors ofVibrio vulnificusisolated from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…Patients with pre-existing liver or blood disorders, or a history of alcohol abuse, are more susceptible to infection with V. vulnificus, which results in elevated serum iron levels; the resistance of V. vulnificus to killing by human serum is mediated by the presence of excess iron [2].…”

“…The evaluations carried out by West [1] indicated that strains of V. vulnificus are more resistant to lysis by complement than are V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae, and that during invasion it can activate both the classic and alternate pathways [2].…”

“…The first involves progressive infection with a few diarrhoeal symptoms and is characterized by a rapid outset of fulminating septicaemia followed by the appearance of cutaneous lesions with 50 % mortality. Patients with hepatic dysfunctions or other syndromes involving iron metabolism appear to be most susceptible to this type of infection [2]. The second, represented by cellulitis, results from the direct contact of wounds or skin lesions with sea ecosystem constituents in both apparently healthy and debilitated patients, and sometimes progresses into septicaemia [1,3].…”