Vibrio vulnificus in Taiwan.
Residents in Taiwan are often exposed to marine microorganisms through seafood and occupational exposure. The number of reported cases of infection attributable to this organism has increased since the first case was reported in 1985. The increasing number of cases may be caused by greater disease activity or improved recognition by clinicians or laboratory workers. We analyze a clinical-case series of 84 patients with Vibrio vulnificus infection from 1995 to 2000 and describe the molecular epidemiologic features of pathogens isolated from these patients. The spectrum of clinical manifestations and outcomes, options of antimicrobial therapy, and virulence mechanisms were investigated. Results of molecular typing of isolates from humans and marine environment in this country had a high genetic divergence among these isolates. Education and measures are needed to prevent this emerging disease.
Hsueh
Po-Ren
PR
National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. hsporen@ha.mc.ntu.edu.t
Lin
Ching-Yih
CY
Tang
Hung-Jen
HJ
Lee
Hsin-Chun
HC
Liu
Jien-Wei
JW
Liu
Yung-Ching
YC
Chuang
Yin-Ching
YC
D006801:Humans; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014735:Vibrio Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D041261:Vibrio vulnificus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014774:Virulence