title: [The prevalence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and its antibodies in seafood handlers in Mérida, Yucatán].
abstract: We report the prevalence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and of antibodies against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the feces and serum of fish and seafood handlers in the city of Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. Between March 1 and August 31, 1989, we studied 81 feces samples and 81 serum samples from an equal number of handlers. Vibrio parahaemolyticus was not isolated in any of the feces studied. We found no statistically significant differences upon comparing our zero per cent isolation in feces samples with the highest percentages reported from available literature (3.85%): chi 2c = 0.36, p greater than 0.05. In two serum samples, we detected Vibrio parahaemolyticus antibodies to the degree of 2.47 per cent. We found no statistically significant differences upon comparing our 2.47 per cent prevalence of serum antibodies with the 10 per cent prevalence reported in a study done by Molina García, et al: chi 2c = 0.10, p greater than 0.05. The estimation interval with a confidence level of 95.00 per cent for the percentage in the population of fish and seafood handlers with Vibrio parahaemolyticus antibodies is 0.94% less than or equal to p less than or equal to 4.00%. We conclude that either the asymptomatic carrier stage does not exist, or that it is of a very short duration. On the other hand, based upon our 2.47 per cent serum-positive prevalence, we conclude that there exists both contact with, and infection from, Vibrio parahaemolyticus in fish and seafood handlers.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UAY), México.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Franco Monsreal
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Flores Abuxapqui
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Suárez Hoil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005399:Fishes; D005511:Food Handling; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012147:Restaurants; D012758:Shellfish; D014735:Vibrio Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D014736:Vibrio parahaemolyticus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial
vernacular_title: Prevalencia de Vibrio parahaemolyticus y de sus anticuerpos en manipuladores de alimentos marinos en Mérida, Yucatán.