title: Epidemiology and spectrum of Vibrio infections in a Chesapeake Bay community.
abstract: The clinical and epidemiologic features of vibrio infections occurring over 15 y in a hospital adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay were examined. Microbiologic techniques included the use of thiosulfate citrate bile salts sucrose (TCBS) medium on all stool specimens. Among 40 vibrio isolates from 32 patients, eight species were identified: V. parahaemolyticus (16), V. vulnificus (10), non-O1 V. cholerae (7), V. mimicus (3), V. hollisae (1), V. fluvialis (1), V. alginolyticus (1), and an unnamed halophilic vibrio. Sources included stool (13), wound (11), sputum (3), ear (3), bone (1), and gallbladder (1). While illnesses were diverse, they were relatively mild and self-limited with no mortality. The mild clinical spectrum and especially lack of mortality are in sharp contrast to the findings of previous reports. Even with the proximity to the bay and use of optimal isolation techniques, the demonstrated incidence of vibrio infections was low (1.6/100,000/y). The routine use of TCBS medium, which has been advocated for high-risk areas, was not cost-effective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hoge
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Watsky
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Peeler
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Libonati
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Israel
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003470:Culture Media; D004423:Ear / Q000382:microbiology; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D014733:Vibrio / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014735:Vibrio Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media