Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
Microb Ecol. 2013 May;65(4):793-9. doi: 10.1007/s00248-012-0140-9. Epub 2012 Dec 21.
Vibrio vulnificus is an estuarine bacterium which occurs in high numbers in filter-feeding molluscan shellfish, such as oysters. In individuals with certain underlying diseases, ingestion of the bacterium, e.g., in raw or undercooked oysters, can lead to a rapid and extremely fatal infection. Indeed, this one bacterium is responsible for 95 % of all seafood-borne deaths. In addition, the bacterium is capable of entering a preexisting lesion or cut obtained during coastal recreational activities, resulting in potentially fatal wound infections. This brief review, which comprised a presentation made at the Gordon Research Conference on "Oceans and Human Health," reflects over 35 years of research on this bacterium in the author's laboratory. It describes some of the known virulence factors and why males account for ca 85 % of all V. vulnificus cases. It notes the two genotypes now known to exist and how this pathogen enters a dormant, "viable but nonculturable" state during the winter months. Finally, the review discusses how global warming may be causing worldwide increases in the frequency and geographical extent of Vibrio infections.
创伤弧菌是一种存在于河口的细菌，在滤食性贝类（如牡蛎）中大量存在。对于某些有基础疾病的个体来说，摄入这种细菌（例如生吃或未煮熟的牡蛎）可能导致迅速且极其致命的感染。事实上，这种细菌是所有食源性疾病死亡病例的 95%的罪魁祸首。此外，该细菌能够进入沿海娱乐活动中产生的现有损伤或切口，导致潜在的致命性伤口感染。本综述由作者在“海洋与人类健康”戈达德研究会议上的演讲组成，反映了作者实验室 35 多年来对该细菌的研究。它描述了一些已知的毒力因子，以及为什么男性占所有创伤弧菌病例的 85%左右。它还提到了目前已知的两种基因型，以及这种病原体在冬季如何进入休眠的“存活但非可培养”状态。最后，该综述讨论了全球变暖如何导致创伤弧菌感染的频率和地理范围在全球范围内增加。
