THE ROLE OF GULF-COAST OYSTERS HARVESTED IN WARMER MONTHS IN VIBRIO-VULNIFICUS INFECTIONS IN THE UNITED-STATES, 1988-1996

Vibrio vulnificus infections are highly lethal and associated with con sumption of raw shellfish and exposure of wounds to seawater. V. vulni ficus infections were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 23 states. For primary septicemia infections, oyster t race-backs were performed and water temperature data obtained at harve sting sites. Between 1988 and 1996, 422 infections were reported; 45% were wound infections, 43% primary septicemia, 5% gastroenteritis, and 7% from undetermined exposure. Eighty-six percent of patients were ma le, and 96% with primary septicemia consumed raw oysters. Sixty-one pe rcent with primary septicemia died; underlying liver disease was assoc iated with fatal outcome, All trace-backs with complete information im plicated oysters harvested in the Gulf of Mexico; 89% were harvested i n water >22 degrees C, the mean annual temperature at the harvesting s ites (P <.0001), Control measures should focus on the increased risk f rom oysters harvested from the Gulf of Mexico during warm months as we ll as education about host susceptibility factors.