This Summer Beware of an Old Enemy of Microbiology

With the arrival of summer and the increase of tourism on our coasts, it is important to remember an old enemy in the field of microbiological safety: 

Vibrio spp.  

These gram-negative, halophilic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria are naturally present in salty and brackish coastal waters. 

The genus Vibrio includes at least 12 species pathogenic to humans, eight of which are associated with foodborne infections. These include V. alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae and V. vulnificus, which are responsible for approximately 80,000 cases annually in the U.S., according to the CDC. 

Rising summer temperatures, coupled with progressive global warming of our seas, have led to an increase in the incidence of Vibrio infections. Although historically associated with the southeastern part of the country, today they are also detected in more northerly regions such as the Delaware Bay and the West Coast. In the Southeast alone, cases have increased eightfold between 1988 and 2018. 

The main sources of infection are the consumption of raw shellfish, especially oysters and mollusks, and contact of wounds with salt or brackish water. Symptoms depend on the species and route of entry and can range from mild gastroenteritis to cholera or severe necrotic infections. 

From Alpha Biosciences, this summer we want to put the focus on the prevention and detection of Vibrio spp. Help us prevent vibriosis following these simple tips: 

• Cook shellfish properly whenever possible.
• If you consume raw shellfish, particularly oysters, keep an eye out for possible symptoms in the following days.
• If a wound comes in contact with seawater or brackish water, wash it immediately with soap and water. 

To facilitate the detection of these pathogens, we put at your disposal our Vibrio Chromogenic Agar, a selective chromogenic medium ideal for isolating and identifying the main species causing vibriosis:  

• Vibrio cholerae: pink colonies
• Vibrio alginolyticus: colorless colonies
• Vibrio parahaemolyticus: blue-green colonies
• Vibrio vulnificus: pink colonies 

Results in 24-48 hours.

Visit us at IAFP and discover more solutions for Food Safety. Schedule a date here:

Please contact us at info@alphabiosciences.com to ask for information about this or any other culture medium and we will be happy to help you!