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Microorganisms Sep 2023This study aimed to determine the incidence and virulence factor profiling of species from hospital wastewater (HWW) and community wastewater effluents. Wastewater...
This study aimed to determine the incidence and virulence factor profiling of species from hospital wastewater (HWW) and community wastewater effluents. Wastewater samples from selected sites were collected, processed, and analysed presumptively by the culture dependent methods and molecular techniques. A total of 270 isolates were confirmed as genus delineating into (27%), (9.1%), (4.1%), and (3%). The remainder (>50%) may account for other species not identified in the study. The four species were isolated from secondary hospital wastewater effluent (SHWE), while was the sole specie isolated from Limbede community wastewater effluent (LCWE) and none of the four species was recovered from tertiary hospital wastewater effluent (THWE). However, several virulence genes were identified among isolates from SHWE: (88%), (81%), (64%), (58%), (44%), and (34%). Virulence genes factors among isolates from LCWE were: (78%), (67%), (44%), and (44%). Two different genes ( and ) were identified in all confirmed isolates. Among , (50%) and (67%) were detected. In , (56%) and (100%) were also identified. This finding reveals that the studied aquatic niches pose serious potential health risk with species harbouring virulence signatures. The distribution of virulence genes is valuable for ecological site quality, as well as epidemiological marker in the control and management of diseases caused by species. Regular monitoring of HWW and communal wastewater effluent would allow relevant establishments to forecast, detect, and mitigate any public health threats in advance.
PubMed: 37894107
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102449 -
Journal of Medical Case Reports May 2023Vibrio vulnificus is a gram-negative bacterium causing three clinical syndromes namely, gastrointestinal symptoms, skin sepsis and primary sepsis. Primary sepsis... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Vibrio vulnificus is a gram-negative bacterium causing three clinical syndromes namely, gastrointestinal symptoms, skin sepsis and primary sepsis. Primary sepsis exhibits mortality rates exceeding 50%, particularly in the immunocompromised. Vibrio vulnificus is transmitted via consumption of contaminated seafood and contaminated seawater skin exposure. We describe a rare case of an immunocompetent male presenting with an atypical Vibrio vulnificus infection, culminating in severe pneumonia requiring intensive care.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 46 year old Indian male dockyard worker, a non-smoker and teetotaler, of Indian origin presented to the emergency treatment unit of a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka, with fever, productive cough with yellow sputum, pleuritic chest pain and tachypnea for five days. He had no gastrointestinal or skin manifestations. His respiratory rate was 38 breaths/min, pulse rate was 120 bpm, blood pressure was 107/75 mmHg and pulse oximetry was 85% on air. Chest X-ray revealed consolidation of the left lung. Empiric intravenous Piperacillin-tazobactam and Clarithromycin were commenced after obtaining blood and sputum cultures. Over the next 24 h, his oxygen requirement rose and as he required vasopressor support, he was admitted to the intensive care unit. He was intubated and bronchoscopy was performed on day two, which demonstrated thick secretions from left upper bronchial segments. His antibiotics were changed to intravenous ceftriaxone and doxycycline following a positive blood culture report of Vibrio vulnificus. He was ventilated for ten days and his intensive care stay was complicated with a non-oliguric acute kidney injury, with serum creatinine rising up to 8.67 mg/dL (0.81-0.44 mg/dL). He developed mild thrombocytopenia with platelets dropping to 115 × 10 /uL (150-450 × 10/uL) which resolved spontaneously. Vasopressors were weaned off by day eight and the patient was extubated on day ten. He was discharged from intensive care on day twelve and made a full recovery.
CONCLUSIONS
Pneumonia itself is an atypical manifestation of Vibrio vulnificus and furthermore, this patient was immunocompetent and did not exhibit the classical gastro-intestinal and skin manifestations. This case highlights the occurrence of atypical Vibrio sp. infections in patients with high exposure risks and the need for early supportive and appropriate antibiotic therapies.
Topics: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Vibrio vulnificus; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Doxycycline; Sepsis; Multiple Organ Failure; Pneumonia; Vibrio Infections
PubMed: 37202814
DOI: 10.1186/s13256-023-03943-9 -
Food Microbiology Apr 2021Vibrio vulnificus is a major food-borne pathogen that causes septicemia and cellulitis with a mortality rate of >50%. However, there are no efficient natural food...
Vibrio vulnificus is a major food-borne pathogen that causes septicemia and cellulitis with a mortality rate of >50%. However, there are no efficient natural food preservatives or biocontrol agents to control V. vulnificus in seafood. In this study, we isolated and characterized a novel bacteriophage VVP001. Host range and transmission electron microscopy morphology observations revealed that VVP001 belongs to the family Siphoviridae and specifically infects V. vulnificus. Phage stability tests showed that VVP001 is stable at a broad temperature range of -20 °C to 65 °C and a pH range from 3 to 11, which are conditions for food applications (processing, distribution, and storage). In vitro challenge assays revealed that VVP001 inhibited V. vulnificus MO6-24/O (a clinical isolate) growth up to a 3.87 log reduction. In addition, complete genome analysis revealed that the 76 kb VVP001 contains 102 open reading frames with 49.64% G + C content and no gene encoding toxins or other virulence factors, which is essential for food applications. Application of VVP001 to fresh abalone samples contaminated with V. vulnificus demonstrated its ability to inhibit V. vulnificus growth, and an in vivo mouse survival test showed that VVP001 protects mice against high mortality (survival rate >70% at a multiplicity of infection of 1000 for up to 7 days). Therefore, the bacteriophage VVP001 can be used as a good natural food preservative and biocontrol agent for food applications.
Topics: Animals; Bacteriophages; Food Contamination; Foodborne Diseases; Genome, Viral; Host Specificity; Humans; Male; Mice; Seafood; Siphoviridae; Vibrio vulnificus
PubMed: 33279062
DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2020.103630 -
MicrobiologyOpen Oct 2021Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio (Aliivibrio) fischeri are Gram-negative bacteria found globally in marine environments. During the past decade, studies have shown that...
Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio (Aliivibrio) fischeri are Gram-negative bacteria found globally in marine environments. During the past decade, studies have shown that certain Gram-negative bacteria, including Vibrio species (cholerae, parahaemolyticus, and vulnificus) are capable of using exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to modify the phospholipids of their membrane. Moreover, exposure to exogenous PUFAs has been shown to affect certain phenotypes that are important factors of virulence. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether V. alginolyticus and V. fischeri are capable of responding to exogenous PUFAs by remodeling their membrane phospholipids and/or altering behaviors associated with virulence. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analyses and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-MS) confirmed incorporation of all PUFAs into membrane phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Several growth phenotypes were identified when individual fatty acids were supplied in minimal media and as sole carbon sources. Interestingly, several PUFAs acids inhibited growth of V. fischeri. Significant alterations to membrane permeability were observed depending on fatty acid supplemented. Strikingly, arachidonic acid (20:4) reduced membrane permeability by approximately 35% in both V. alginolyticus and V. fischeri. Biofilm assays indicated that fatty acid influence was dependent on media composition and temperature. All fatty acids caused decreased swimming motility in V. alginolyticus, while only linoleic acid (18:2) significantly increased swimming motility in V. fischeri. In summary, exogenous fatty acids cause a variety of changes in V. alginolyticus and V. fischeri, thus adding these bacteria to a growing list of Gram-negatives that exhibit versatility in fatty acid utilization and highlighting the potential for environmental PUFAs to influence phenotypes associated with planktonic, beneficial, and pathogenic associations.
Topics: Aliivibrio fischeri; Aquatic Organisms; Biofilms; Cell Membrane; Cell Membrane Permeability; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Phenotype; Phosphatidylethanolamines; Phosphatidylglycerols; Vibrio Infections; Vibrio alginolyticus; Virulence
PubMed: 34713610
DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1237 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022Global ocean warming results in an increase of infectious diseases including an elevated emergence of spp. in Northern Europe. The European Centre for Disease...
Global ocean warming results in an increase of infectious diseases including an elevated emergence of spp. in Northern Europe. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported annual periods of high to very high risks of infection with spp. during summer months along the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts. Based on those facts, the risk of infections associated with recreational bathing in European coastal waters increases. To obtain an overview of the seasonal and spatial distribution of potentially human pathogenic spp. at German coasts, this study monitored , , and at seven recreational bathing areas from 2017 to 2018, including the heat wave event in summer 2018. The study shows that all three species occurred in water and sediment samples at all sampling sites. Temperature was shown to be the main driving factor of abundance, whereas community composition was mainly modulated by salinity. A species-specific rapid increase was observed at water temperatures above 10°C, reaching the highest detection numbers during the heat wave event with abundances of 4.5 log10 CFU+1/100 ml of seawater and 6.5 log10 CFU+1/100 g of sediment. Due to salinity, the dominant species found in North Sea samples was , whereas was predominantly detected in Baltic Sea samples. Most detections of were associated with estuarine samples from both seas. spp. concentrations in sediments were up to three log higher compared to water samples, indicating that sediments are an important habitat for spp. to persist in the environment. Antibiotic resistances were found against beta-lactam antibiotics (ampicillin 31%, cefazolin 36%, and oxacillin and penicillin 100%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (45%). Moreover, isolates harboring pathogenicity-associated genes such as for as well as , /, and the 16S rRNA-type B variant for were detected. All sampled isolates were identified as non-toxigenic non-O1/non-O139 serotypes. To sum up, increasing water temperatures at German North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts provoke elevated numbers and encourage human recreational water activities, resulting in increased exposure rates. Owing to a moderate Baltic Sea salinity, the risk of infections is of particular concern.
Topics: Humans; Prevalence; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Vibrio; Vibrio Infections; Vibrio cholerae; Vibrio parahaemolyticus; Water
PubMed: 35937704
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.846819 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023is a multi-host pathogenic species currently subdivided into five phylogenetic lineages (L) plus one pathovar with the ability to infect fish due to a transmissible...
is a multi-host pathogenic species currently subdivided into five phylogenetic lineages (L) plus one pathovar with the ability to infect fish due to a transmissible virulence plasmid. This plasmid (or a fragment of it) has been transmitted between lineages within the species, contributing to the evolution of . This study aimed to provide an experimental approximation to the mutation rate by determining spontaneous mutation rates from bacterial cultures of representants of the different lineages by whole-genome sequencing. To this purpose, synonymous SNP differences, i.e., spontaneous mutation not subjected to the evolutive forces, between initial and final culture after serial growth were evaluated and used for mutation rate calculation.
PubMed: 37621400
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1223293 -
Internal Medicine Journal Jan 2024Vibrio species bloodstream infections have been associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Limited information is available regarding the epidemiology of...
BACKGROUND
Vibrio species bloodstream infections have been associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Limited information is available regarding the epidemiology of bloodstream infections because of Vibrio species in the Australian context.
AIMS
The objective of this study was to define the incidence and risk factors for developing Vibrio species bloodstream infections and compare differences between different species.
METHODS
All patients with Vibrio spp. isolated from positive blood cultures between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2019 were identified by the state-wide Pathology Queensland laboratory. Demographics, clinical foci of infections and comorbid conditions were collected in addition to antimicrobial susceptibility results.
RESULTS
About 100 cases were identified between 2000 and 2019 with an incidence of 1.2 cases/1 million person-years. Seasonal and geographical variation occurred with the highest incidence in the summer months and in the tropical north. Increasing age, male sex and multiple comorbidities were identified as risk factors. Vibrio vulnificus was isolated most frequently and associated with the most severe disease. Overall case fatality was 19%.
CONCLUSIONS
There is potential for increasing cases of Vibrio species infections globally with ageing populations and climate change. Ongoing clinical awareness is required to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Male; Queensland; Australia; Vibrio; Vibrio Infections; Sepsis
PubMed: 37497569
DOI: 10.1111/imj.16187 -
Marine Pollution Bulletin Sep 2023Waterborne pathogenic bacteria, including faecal indicator bacteria and potentially pathogenic Vibrio, are a global concern for diseases transmitted through water. A... (Review)
Review
Waterborne pathogenic bacteria, including faecal indicator bacteria and potentially pathogenic Vibrio, are a global concern for diseases transmitted through water. A systematic review was conducted to analyse publications that investigated these bacteria in relation to macrophytes (seagrasses and macroalgae) in coastal marine environments. The highest quantities of FIB were found on brown algae and seagrasses, and the highest quantities of Vibrio bacteria were on red algae. The most extensively studied macrophyte group was brown algae, green algae were the least researched. Macrophyte wrack was found to favor the presence of FIB, but there is a lack of information about Vibrio quantities in this environment. To understand the role of Vibrio bacteria that are pathogenic to humans, molecular methods complementary to cultivation methods should be used. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of FIB and potentially pathogenic Vibrio with macrophytes and their microbiome in the coastal marine environment.
Topics: Humans; Vibrio parahaemolyticus; Environment; Ecosystem
PubMed: 37523954
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115325 -
Access Microbiology 2023The stressosome is a protein complex that senses environmental stresses and mediates the stress response in several Gram-positive bacteria through the activation of the...
The stressosome is a protein complex that senses environmental stresses and mediates the stress response in several Gram-positive bacteria through the activation of the alternative sigma factor SigB. The stressosome locus is found in 44 % of Gram-negative isolates. However, does not possess SigB. Nonetheless, in nutrient-limited media, the stressosome modulates gene transcription and bacterial behaviour. In this work, the expression of the stressosome genes was proven during stationary phase in nutrient-rich media and co-transcription as one operonic unit of the stressosome locus and its putative downstream regulatory locus was demonstrated. The construction of a stressosome mutant lacking the genes encoding the four proteins constituting the stressosome complex (VvRsbR, VvRsbS, VvRsbT, VvRsbX) allowed us to examine the role of this complex . Extensive phenotypic characterization of the ΔRSTX mutant in nutrient-rich media showed that the stressosome does not contribute to growth of . Moreover, the stressosome did not modulate the tolerance or survival response of to the range of stresses tested, which included ethanol, hyperosmolarity, hypoxia, high temperature, acidity and oxidative stress. Furthermore, the stressosome was dispensable for motility and exoenzyme production of in nutrient-rich media. Therefore, in conclusion, although stressosome gene transcription occurs in nutrient-rich media, the stressosome neither has an essential role in stress responses of nor does it seem to modulate these activities in these conditions. We hypothesise that the stressosome is expressed in nutrient-rich conditions as a sensor complex, but that activation of the complex does not occur in this environment.
PubMed: 37601438
DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000523.v4 -
Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences Mar 2024Vibrio species are common inhabitants of aquatic environments and have been described in connection with fish and human diseases. Six Vibrio species were isolated from...
Vibrio species are common inhabitants of aquatic environments and have been described in connection with fish and human diseases. Six Vibrio species were isolated from diseased freshwater and ornamental fish in Poland. The strains were identified based on morphological and biochemical characteristics and confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) as V. albensis (n=3) from Gymnocephalus cernua, Sander lucioperca, Paracheirodon innesi, and Xiphophorus hellerii; V. mimicus (n=1) from Xiphophorus maculatus; and V. vulnificus (n=1) from Nematobrycon palmeri. This is the first time that Vibrio species have been isolated and described from ornamental fish in Poland. The isolates were resistant to ampicillin (83.3%), gentamicin (16.6%), ciprofloxacin (16.6%), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (16.6%), and chloramphenicol (16.6%). The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index was 0.00-0.08 for V. albensis, 0.17 for V. mimicus, and 0.33 for V. vulnificus. Our study confirmed the presence of potentially pathogenic Vibrio species in freshwater and ornamental fish. Therefore, further monitoring of the presence of Vibrio species, mainly in ornamental fish, is necessary.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Poland; Vibrio Infections; Vibrio; Fishes; Fresh Water
PubMed: 38511636
DOI: 10.24425/pjvs.2024.149341