Pathogenesis of Vibrio vulnificus

This review describes the factors which are currently recognized as being c entral to the virulence of the human pathogen, Vibrio vulnificus. This estu arine/marine bacterium occurs in high numbers in molluscan shellfish, prima rily oysters, and its ingestion in raw oysters results in a ca. 60% mortali ty in those persons who are susceptible to this bacterium. The organism is also able to produce life-threatening wound infections. We describe here th e nature of both the wound and primary septicemia infections, the virulence factors known or believed to be involved in these infections, possible imm unotherapy, and some thoughts on the possibility that not all strains of th is pathogen are virulent. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.