Introduction
Vibrio species of bacteria are a part of the normal marine flora. Some of them are serious pathogens for humans as well as aquatic life. Human infections are contracted by direct contact or by consuming contaminated food and water. According to the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), vibriosis causes around 100 deaths and 80,000 diseases every year in the United States.
What Is Vibriosis?
Vibriosis is a rare illness caused by Vibrio species bacteria. Vibrio species cause two types of illnesses in humans: cholera and vibriosis. Vibriosis is an infection of the stomach and intestine; caused by consuming raw or undercooked sea animals or exposing an open wound to seawater. The infection is manifested as diarrhea and abdominal pain in humans.
What Causes Vibriosis?
Vibriosis is caused by many strains of Vibrio bacteria (except the cholera strain). The most common ones include Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio alginolyticus. Vibrio species are naturally seen in the marine environment, with the highest concentration in warm water with moderate salinity. Therefore, they are found in saltwater coastal environments during the summer months of May to October.
How Is Vibriosis Spread?
Vibriosis is not contagious and does not spread from person to person; people usually get infected by consuming raw or undercooked shellfish (especially oysters, mussels and clams). However, even fully cooked shellfish may get recontaminated if washed with seawater. Improper storage and handling of seafood while refrigerating or preparing can also lead to illness. Vibriosis may occur as a skin infection if an open wound is exposed to saltwater or brackish water. Brackish water is found where the river meets the sea, a mixture of salt and freshwater. Vibriosis may also cause an ear infection when saltwater or brackish water enters one’s ears.
Who Is More Likely to Be Infected by Vibriosis?
Although anyone can get vibriosis, healthy individuals are most unlikely to develop major complications due to the infection. However, people with weak immunity or underlying health conditions like chronic liver diseases are at risk of the disease. In addition, consuming raw shellfish and exposing an open wound to saltwater or brackish water can increase the risk of the illness.
People at risk:
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People with liver disease, cancer, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), diabetes, and thalassemia.
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People under immunosuppressive therapy.
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People who take medications to reduce stomach acids.
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People who have undergone recent stomach surgery.
What Are the Symptoms of Vibriosis?
The symptoms of vibriosis vary depending on the type of infection. When a person consumes raw or undercooked shellfish, a gastrointestinal infection may occur within 24 hours. These are the most common and present as watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. The symptoms often subside on their own within three days without any treatment. Skin infections result when an open wound is exposed to saltwater, brackish water, or droppings from a shellfish. The symptoms include sores that are red, painful, and swollen. These develop 12 hours to 72 hours after being exposed to contaminated water and may last one day to seven days.
What Are the Complications of Vibriosis?
Complications due to vibriosis are usually rare in healthy individuals, but people with weak immunity or chronic liver diseases may have life-threatening conditions. The infection spreads to the bloodstream and can cause life-threatening complications with fever, chills, decreased blood pressure, and blistering skin lesions in people with a weak immune system. Although rare, many people with the infection may even require intensive care or limb amputations, and about a fraction with this infection die.
How Is Vibriosis Diagnosed?
The doctor may suspect vibriosis if the patient complains of watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps following a history of consuming undercooked shellfish, especially oysters, or a skin infection following exposure to the open wound to seawater. In addition, laboratory tests of the patient's stool, blood, and wound may confirm the bacteria's presence.
How Is Vibriosis Treated?
Most people require no treatment, and the infection subsides on its own within a few days. However, infected people are advised to drink plenty of liquids to replace the fluid loss through diarrhea. For a severe or prolonged infection, immediate treatment is required. Although there is currently no evidence for the effectiveness of antibiotics for a vibrio infection, they may be used to improve survival. Vibrio skin infections may require medical attention; some may even require surgery.
How to Prevent Vibriosis?
To reduce the risk of vibriosis:
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Do not consume raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters.
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Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw shellfish.
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When ordering shellfish at restaurants, ask for the shellfish to be fully cooked.
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Proper storage is another important step, do not contaminate cooked shellfish with raw shellfish or its droppings.
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Avoid exposing an open wound or recent wound from surgery or tattoo with saltwater or brackish water. One may also cover the wound with a waterproof bandage if there is a chance of exposure to saltwater or brackish water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices.
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Wash wounds and scars properly with soap and water if they have had contact with seawater, brackish water, seafood, or seafood juices. Apply antibiotic ointment and hydrogen peroxide as directed to clean the wounds. If the wound develops an infection or symptoms like redness and swelling, consult a healthcare provider immediately.
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Wear protective gloves when preparing or handling raw seafood.
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Wear clothes that cover all cuts and wounds when in seawater.
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Do not prepare open shellfish.
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For shellfish in the shell, boil until the shell opens, and then continue to boil it for three to five minutes more. Or steam the shellfish until it opens, and cook for another four to nine minutes.
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Do not use shellfish that do not open fully during cooking.
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When cooking shucked oysters, either:
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Boil them for at least three minutes.
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Fry them in oil for three minutes at 375°F.
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Broil them three inches from heat for three minutes.
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Bake them at 450°F for at least ten minutes.
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Conclusion
Vibriosis is a rare illness usually caused by consuming raw or undercooked shellfish or exposing an open wound to contaminated seawater. The condition is self-limiting and usually subsides on its own within a few days, although in people with a weak immune system, it may cause a few complications. However, with prompt treatment and medication, there are chances of improvement in survival.
