title: Vibrio alginolyticus infections in the USA, 1988-2012.
abstract: Vibrio alginolyticus causes soft tissue and bloodstream infection; little systematically collected clinical and epidemiological information is available. In the USA, V. alginolyticus infections are reported to the Cholera and Other Vibrio Illness Surveillance system. Using data from 1988 to 2012, we categorised infections using specimen source and exposure history, analysed case characteristics, and calculated incidence rates using US Census Bureau data. Most (96%) of the 1331 V. alginolyticus infections were from coastal states. Infections of the skin and ear were most frequent (87%); ear infections occurred more commonly in children, lower extremity infections more commonly in older adults. Most (86%) infections involved water activity. Reported incidence of infections increased 12-fold over the study period, although the extent of diagnostic or surveillance bias is unclear. Prevention efforts should target waterborne transmission in coastal areas and provider education to promote more rapid diagnosis and prevent complications.
authors.affiliation: Epidemic Intelligence Service,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Atlanta,Georgia,USA.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Jacobs Slifka
authors.affiliation: Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branch,Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Atlanta,Georgia,USA.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.affiliation: Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branch,Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Atlanta,Georgia,USA.
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Mahon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014735:Vibrio Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D044149:Vibrio alginolyticus / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 
                 Vibrio alginolyticus
              ; ear infection; skin and soft tissue infection; surveillance