Vibrio vulnificus, an emergent human pathogen, causes septicemia with a mortality rate over 50%. Additionally, symptom onset occurs rapidly, with the incubation time for ingestion cases being around 26 hours. This, combined with the severity of symptoms has led to V. vulnificus being considered the deadliest seafood-associated pathogen, claiming responsibility for 95% of seafood-related deaths. Currently, the molecular mechanisms through which some strains of this bacteria emerge to become pathogens are unknown. The main focus of this study is to expand upon the base of knowledge surrounding this question through comparing virulence phenotypes in environmentally collected strains of V. vulnificus. Specifically, this study will evaluate the pathogenic potential of environmental isolates collected from water and oyster sources in Lee County, Florida, in lieu of the outbreak that occurred in October 2022. To test this, a variety of assays were performed. First, a phylogenetic tree was built to establish the relationships between strains. Next, to study in vitro responses, serum resistance assays and sialic acid growth curves were performed. Then, to further classify the pathogenic potential of these environmental strains, they were tested against THP-1 monocytes differentiated into macrophages for their ability to resist phagocytosis and induce apoptosis. This study found differential responses amongst the environmental isolates, with some exhibiting significant pathogenic potential and others being sensitive to all tested assays. Understanding which strains emerge as pathogens will help determine the prevalence of key virulence factors within natural populations of bacteria and provide critical data on the phenotypic outcomes of differing genotypes.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Delaware, 2007. / Principal faculty advisor: Haiqiang Chen, Animal & Food Sciences. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-97). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Agrárias. Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências dos Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2013-03-04T19:09:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 309352.pdf: 1330978 bytes, checksum: 53f32bc5f3243f33f297d2c1954775e2 (MD5) / Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo identificar e quantificar vibrios marinhos potencialmente patogênicos em ostras (Crassostrea gigas) e águas provenientes da Baía Sul de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Assim como avaliar a patogenicidade e susceptibilidade destas cepas frente a diferentes antibióticos e verificar a eficácia da depuração de ostras (Crassostrea gigas) contaminadas com Vibrio parahaemolyticus ou Vibrio vulnificus usando luz ultravioleta (UV) isoladamente e efeito sinérgico com cloro. Das 60 amostras de ostras 48,3% estavam contaminadas por uma ou mais espécies de vibrio. As espécies mais frequentes foram V. parahaemolyticus e V. vulnificus. As contagens de V. parahaemolyticus e V. vulnificus nas amostras variaram entre < 0,5 log10 NMP g-1 a 2,3 log10 NMP g-1 de ostra, e < 0,5 log10 NMP g-1 a 2,1 log10 NMP g-1 de ostra, respectivamente. Das 60 amostras de água 73,3% estavam contaminadas por uma ou mais espécies de vibrios. As contagens de V. parahaemolyticus e V. vulnificus nas amostras variaram entre < 0,3 log10 NMP 100 mL-1 a 1,7 log10 NMP 100 mL-1 de água marinha, e < 0,3 log10 NMP 100 mL-1 a 2,0 log10 NMP 100 mL-1 de água marinha, respectivamente. Das 120 cepas enviadas para tipificação, foram avaliadas as características de 106 cepas reativadas. Destas 83 (78,3%) foram previamente identificadas como V. parahaemolyticus, 20 (18,9%) como V. vulnificus, três (2,8%) como V. cholerae. Foram caracterizados 20 diferentes sorotipos de V. parahaemolyticus, e identificados genes de patogenicidade tanto de V. parahaemolyticus quanto de V. cholerae. A resistência à gentamicina e cefuroxima foi observada em 84,3% das cepas testadas para ambos antibióticos, e a resistência a ampicilina foi observada em 80,0% das cepas de Vibrio spp. O cloranfenicol foi o antibiótico ao qual as cepas de Vibrio spp. foram mais sensíveis, seguido da tetraciclina, diferente do observado para V. cholerae que apresentou maior sensibilidade a Amoxicilina + clavulanato. Para o experimento de depuração as ostras foram contaminadas com um coquetel de cinco cepas de V. parahaemolyticus ou V. vulnificus ao nível de 104 a 105 UFC mL-1. A depuração foi realizada num sistema fechado de recirculação. As contagens de V. parahaemolyticus ou V. vulnificus foram realizadas no tempo zero, 6, 18, 24 e 48 h. Três tratamentos foram realizados: T1 (controle), T2 (luz UV) e T3 (luz UV mais cloro). Após 48 h de depuração de V. parahaemolyticus, T3 reduziu 3,1 log NMP g-1 e T2 reduziu 2,4 log NMP g-1, enquanto T1 reduziu apenas 2,0 log NMP g-1. Após 48 h de depuração de V. vulnificus, tanto T2, como T3 foram eficientes na redução das contagens, reduzindo a população em 2,5 e 2,4 log NMP g-1, respectivamente, enquanto que T1 reduziu apenas 1,4 log NMP g-1. O tratamento utilizando Luz UV mais cloro foi mais eficiente para controlar V. parahaemolyticus em ostras. Tanto o tratamento utilizando luz UV, como o tratamento utilizando luz UV mais cloro foram eficientes para reduzir as contagens de V. vulnificus. Os resultados desta pesquisa servem de subsídio para analise de risco de vibrios potencialmente patogênicos em ostras. / The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence and level of contamination for Vibrio spp. in seawater and oysters (Crassostrea gigas) harvested in Southern Brazil, as to evaluate the pathogenicity of strains and test the susceptibility of these strains to different antibiotics, and to evaluate efficacy of depuration using UV light and UV light plus chlorinated seawater for decontaminating Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in oysters. Of the 60 oysters# samples analyzed, 29 (48.3%) contained one or more vibrio species. The most frequently isolated species were Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus. The counts of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in the samples ranged between < 0.5 log10 MPN g-1 to 2.3 log10 MPN g-1 of oyster, and < 0.5 log10 MPN g-1 to 2.1 log10 MPN g-1of oyster, respectively. Of the 60 seawater samples analyzed, 44 (73.3%) contained one or more species vibrios. The counts of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in the samples ranged between < 0.3 log10 MPN 100 mL-1 to 1.7 log10 MPN 100 mL-1 of seawater, and < 0.3 log10 MPN 100 mL-1 to 2.0 log10 MPN 100 mL-1 of seawater, respectively. Of the 120 strains sent for typing were evaluated the characteristics of the strains 106 reactivated, 83 (78.3%) were previously identified as V parahaemolyticus, 20 (18.9%) as V vulnificus, three (2.8%) and V. cholerae. Were characterized 20 different serotypes of V. parahaemolyticus, and isolated genes of patogenicity for V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae. The gentamycin and cefuroxime resistance was observed in 84.3% of the strains to both antibiotics, and the ampicillin resistance was observed in 80.0% of the strains of Vibrio spp. Chloramphenicol is the antibiotic to which the strains of Vibrio spp. were more susceptible. The tetracycline antibiotic was the second to which the strains of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus were more susceptible than the observed for V. cholerae that showed greater susceptibility to amoxicillin + clavulanate. For depuration the oysters were contaminated with five-strain cocktail of V. parahaemolyticus or V. vulnificus to level of 104 to 105 CFU mL-1. The depuration was conducted in a recirulated closed system. Counts of V. parahaemolyticus or V. vulnificus were determined at zero, 6, 18, 24 and 48 h. Three treatments were conducted: T1 (control treatment); T2 (UV treatment); and T3 (UV plus chlorine treatment). After 48 h of depuration of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, T3 reduced 3.1 log MPN g-1 and T2 reduced 2.4 log MPN g-1, while T1 reduced only 2.0 log MPN g-1. After 48 h of depuration of Vibrio vulnificus, T2 as well as T3 were efficient reducing counts in 2.5 and 2.4 log MPN g-1, respectively; while T1 reduced only 1.4 log MPN g-1. UV light plus chlorine treatment was more efficient for controlling V. parahaemolyticus in oysters. Both UV light and UV light plus chlorine were efficient for V. vulnificus. These results serve as input for risk analysis studies of potentially pathogenic vibrios in oysters in southern Brazil.

Unidad de práctica para optar al título de Químico Farmacéutico / No autorizada por el autor para ser publicada a texto completo en el Portal de Tesis Electrónicas / La practica prolongada fue realizada en Departamento de Microbiología de Alimentos del Instituto se Salud Pública de Chile, durante los meses de Junio a Diciembre del año 2005. Mi labor en la práctica constó de tres etapas simultáneas: La primera consistió en recibir capacitación durante todo el período de mi práctica, en detección y cuantificación de los patógenos bacterianos más frecuentes encontrados en alimentos. La segunda etapa fue implementar el último método de detección de Vibrios (principalmente Vibrio vulnificus en mi caso) según el Manual Analítico Bacteriológico (BAM) año 2004 impuesto por la Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) (1), para la cual se utilizaron cepas de diversos Vibrios tales como Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae, etc. Dicha labor será necesaria para actualizar los métodos de detección en los laboratorios de la red de vigilancia epidemiológica de Chile. En la otra etapa, se evaluó según el método que se estaba desarrollando la población de Vibrio vulnificus existente en Puerto Montt, ésta etapa se comenzó a trabajar a partir aproximadamente en julio ya que primero debía estar desarrollada en alguna medida la técnica de detección, además de que estuvieran los materiales necesarios para el trabajo. Las muestras analizadas son ensayos de rutina que llegan al SEREMI de Salud de la región Metropolitana para evaluar durante todo el año la población de Vibrio parahaemolyticus y Vibrio cholerae en Puerto Montt, las cuales se reciben todos los martes y consta de 5 muestras de los cuales se analizan 12 especimenes de cada una, para luego cuantificarlas por el método de tubos múltiples según la tabla de número más probable (anexo, Tabla 1). Es importante que el ISP, como centro de referencia posea información sobre todo patógeno que pueda ser encontrado en alimentos, es por eso que esta etapa culminará con la entrega del procedimiento de detección de Vibrio vulnificus al Departamento de Microbiología de Alimentos

Vibrio vulnificus is a foodborne bacterial pathogen associated with raw oyster consumption. Shellfish depuration for 48 hours is a dynamic process where coliform bacteria are purged; however, this process is ineffective against V. vulnificus. The current study investigated the use of prolonged two-week depuration on V. vulnificus populations in Gulf Coast oysters. The study evaluated the impact of prolonged depuration on V. vulnificus fatty acid profile change and the ability to survive in simulated gastric fluid. Oyster depuration in seawater (10 or 22oC, 14 days) reduced V. vulnificus counts, but not to non-detectable level, indicating close ecological relationship between the pathogen and mollusk. Greatest V. vulnificus count reductions were seen in 12 ppt 10°C seawater (2.7 log10 CFU/g) and in 20 ppt 22°C seawater (2.8 logs). Mesophilic vibrios dominated the overall microflora of freshly harvested oysters, while refrigeration selected for psychrotrophic bacteria. Depuration at 22°C retained dominance of mesophilic vibrios, including pathogenic species. Although aerobic plate counts were lower in 22°C depurated oysters (5.0 logs vs 6.0 logs), depuration at 10°C had little to no advantage over 22°C in terms of vibrio population reduction. Use of prolonged depuration remains economically questionable since this method failed to completely eliminate V. vulnificus. Starved V. vulnificus behavior in artificial seawater showed that low temperature (4oC) and high seawater salinity (35 ppt) contributed to pathogen population reduction. Starved V. vulnificus did not adjust membrane fluidity to storage temperature within the investigated time frame. However, a significant fatty acid switch from C18:1w7c to C18:1w6c by double bond relocation was observed. The relocation was faster at ambient temperatures compared to refrigerated temperatures. The majority of V. vulnificus foodborne infections occur during warm summer months. Vibrio vulnificus ATCC 27562 was significantly less resistant (3.7 min D-value) to simulated gastric fluid (pH 4.0) after 7-day storage at 4oC compared to the control (7.8 min D-value). Therefore, greater gastric fluid sensitivity of the pathogen may occur in winter-harvested oysters and may partially explain the low number of winter outbreaks.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus y Vibrio vulnificus son microorganismos patógenos pertenecientes a la familia Vibrionaceae y al género Vibrio. Son microorganismos con morfología ligeramente curvada, gram negativos y oxidasa positivos. En cuanto a sus aspectos ecológicos son halófilos, por tanto suelen estar presentes en aguas marinas costeras y en el interior de moluscos, crustáceos y peces, y tienden a encontrarse en aguas cálidas. La patología que producen está asociada al consumo de mariscos, moluscos y pescado crudo o poco cocinado y a la exposición a aguas contaminadas. Ambas especies son consideradas patógenos emergentes debido al aumento en su incidencia y a la mayor distribución geográfica de los casos de intoxicación alimentaria, sobre todo en países asiáticos. La detección e identificación de ambas especies en alimentos de origen marino y agua, presenta gran dificultad, ya que los procedimientos convencionales son largos y tediosos, y pueden proporcionar falsos negativos. Los métodos de detección molecular pueden suponer una alternativa más rápida, sensible y fiable. Objetivos: Debido a esto, en este trabajo se han desarrollado métodos de detección y cuantificación de Vibrio spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus y Vibrio vulnificus mediante PCR tradicional, PCR a tiempo real e hibridación in situ con sondas fluorescentes (FISH) para su aplicación en matrices alimentarias y en agua. En este estudio se han aplicado los distintos métodos a matrices ambientales (agua de playa y agua residual) y a alimentos de origen marino. Resultados: Los resultados muestran que la PCR a tiempo real es el método más rápido y sensible para la detección de las diferentes especies estudiadas, además de permitir la cuantificación del microorganismo en las muestras de forma fiable. En este trabajo hemos demostrado la presencia de bacterias del género Vibrio en ambos tipos de matrices y el potencial de aguas y alimentos de origen marino para actuar como vehículos de transmisión de V. parahaemolyticus y V. vulnificus / Cañigral Cárcel, I. (2011). Desarrollo de métodos moleculares para la detección y caracterización de bacterias patógenas emergentes del género Vibrio en aguas y alimentos [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/11799

The objective of this project was to examine the effects of various storage temperatures and times on the microbiological quality, safety, and viability of hard shelled quahog clams. Samples were stored at four different incubation temperatures (3.3, 7.2, 10.0, and 12.S0C) for a period of three weeks, following their harvest from growing waters during the summer when the water temperatures were ~ SO°F, and during the winter when water temperatures were ~ 40°F. With regards to safety, clams were analyzed for two naturally-occurring pathogens, Vihrio parahaemolyticus and Vihrio vulnificus. Aerobic plate counts (APCs), coliforms, and fecal coliforms were determined to define the level of quality. During the summer, mesophilic APCs containing 2% NaCI ranged from 104 to 108 CFU/g, and during the winter, mesophilic APCs with salt ranged from < 100 ESPC to 104 CFU/g. Comparatively, during the summer, mesophilic APCs containing no added NaCI ranged from < 100 ESPC to 105 CFU/g, and during the winter, APCs without salt ranged from < 100 ESPC to 102 CFU/g. Coliform and fecal coliform counts ranged from < 0.3 to 61.1 MPN/g and < 0.3 to 24.4 MPN/g, respectively. During the summer, V. parahaemolyticus was isolated from 56% of the samples, with the highest concentration, 24,000 MPN/g, occurring on day 12 at 12.8°C. / Master of Science

Vibrio vulnificus are marine bacteria causing fatal septicemia through wound infections or consumption of contaminated seafood. V. vulnificus is an excellent model for the study of surface polysaccharides, as it is capable of synthesizing capsular polysaccharide (CPS), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and exopolysaccharide (EPS). V. vulnificus strains exhibit a multitude of carbotypes that evolve through unknown mechanisms. CPS is a confirmed virulence factor, but the genetics of its biosynthesis are unknown. The main objective of these experiments was to gain insight into the biosynthesis, regulation and evolution of ATCC 27562 outer surface polysaccharides. A miniTn10 transposon (Tn) system was used for mutagenesis and single insertions were confirmed through Southern analysis. A novel 25 kb CPS biosynthesis locus was identified through sequencing of regions surrounding Tn insertions; a region encoding putative LPS core biosynthetic functions was identified adjacent to the CPS cluster. The CPS locus contained features of O-antigen biosynthetic loci and was unusual in carrying characteristics of both group I and IV capsular biosynthetic loci. Mutations in this region resulted in elimination of CPS and LPS, and both were shown to be dependent on the activity of the polymerase Wzy. Evidence is presented here supporting horizontal transfer (HT) as a contributor to V. vulnificus CPS evolution. CPS regions of V. vulnificus 27562, YJ016 and CMCP6 contain strain specific genes surrounded by conserved regions, suggestive of HT. Moreover, a CPS locus virtually identical to that of 27562 was discovered in Shewanella putrefaciens strain 200. 27562 CPS is distinctive as it contains N-acetylmuramic acid. Genes encoding murA and murB activities were identified within the cluster and shown to be functionally redundant, supporting HT acquisition of this region. A screen of V. vulnificus gDNA library using CPS biosynthesis and transport mutants identified a cyclic diguanylate cyclase, dcpA. dcpA-mediated increase in cyclic diguanylate lead to EPS production, rugosity phenotypes and enhanced biofilm formation. Interestingly, virulence and motility were not affected suggesting complexity of cyclic diguanylate regulation in V. vulnificus, supported by the large number of cyclic diguanylate related proteins in Vulnificus strains.

Vibrio vulnificus is a model environmental organism exhibiting a classical starvation response during nutrient limitation as well as a non-culturable state when exposed to low temperatures. In addition to these classic global responses, this organism is an opportunistic pathogen that exhibits numerous virulence factors. This organism was chosen as the model organism for the identification of regulators of the viable but nonculturable response (VBNC) and the starvation-induced maintenance of culturability (SIMC) that occurs when cells are starved prior to low temperature incubation. In order to accomplish this, three indirect approaches were used; proteomics, investigation of intercellular signalling pathways and genetic analysis of regulators involved in these responses. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to identify proteins expressed under conditions that induced SIMC. It was determined that carbon and long-term phosphorus starvation were important in the SIMC response. V. vulnificus was shown to possess genes, luxS and smcR, that are homologues of genes involved in signalling system system 2 in Vibrio harveyi. Signal molecules were produced upon starvation and the entry to stationary phase in V. vulnificus. Furthermore, a null mutation in smcR, a transcriptional regulator was shown to have pleiotropic effects in V. vulnificus, including up-regulation of numerous virulence factors and a defect in starvation survival and development of the SIMC response. We propose that V. vulnificus possesses a signalling system analogous to that of system 2 in V. harveyi, and that this system is involved in the regulation of stationary phase and starvation adaptation in this organism.