Question

The incidence of V. vulnificus infections is increasing, especially in northern parts of the United States, compared to 20 years ago. Can you think of any reason why this might be happening?

Answer 1

Few lines about Vibrio vulnificus before knowing its incidence:

Vibrio vulnificus is a gram negative, halophilic rod shaped bacteria found mostly in coastal waters. It causes fatal septicaemia in high risk populations like chronic liver diseasem immunodeficiency, iron storage disorders, renal failures and diabetes mellitus. Wound infections and gastroenteritis are also seen

Increased incidence of V. vulnificus in Northern parts of the United States is due to:

i. Northern parts of America (Ex. Northern Gulf of Mexico) have a large coast line and attract many number of tourists (almost 7 million fishing trips per annum) for recreational fishing. Eating raw Shell fish, oyesters is one of the reasons for V. vulnificus infection. Shell fish, oyesters etc acts as source of V. vulnificus and whose increased consumption in the recent years led to the increased incidence of the disease

ii. V.vulnificus grow more in more saline waters, and in warmer temperatures. Fishing and other increased recreational activities are seen in northern parts of the United states exposing number of individuals to the infections

iii. Fishing, handling, dehooking and exposing to the fish meat also said to be one of the reasons for the infection with V. vulnificus. Because one of the studies showed that, fish skin and intestine may also serve as a reservoir of v. vulnificus which enters the wounds, lacerations or abrasions occured during the fishing activities may also attribute to the increased incidence

iv. Increased movement of tourists and insufficient prevention efforts to cater the needs, insufficient knowledge resources about the cooking habits also accounts for increased incidence.

v. Bites from live fish, cut dead fish, angling activities like dehooking, filleting expose the bacterium which is present in the skin and mucus

vi. High microbial population in summer which is in coincidence with the fishing activities increased the incidence drastically in recent years

vii. Presence of more estuarine waters in Northern parts of the United states, which is more favorable medium for bacterium may also be accounted as one of the reasons