Distribution of Vibrio vulnificus along the coastal area of Shimane Prefecture and contamination of retail fish and shellfish with V. vulnificus in Shimane Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

We studied distribution of Vibrio vulnificus in sea water, sediment, and shellfish along the coast and contamination of retail fish and shellfish with V. vulnificus in Shimane Prefecture, Japan between 2001 and 2004. V. vulnificus was isolated from 77 (68.1%) of 113 sea water samples with <10(2) MPN/10g. These isolates were divided into 11 serotypes with the most prevalent serotype being 04 followed by 01, 03 and 06. Serotype 012 strain (isolated from a patient from interior Shimane Prefecture in August 2004) was isolated from sea water and a sediment sample and from 3 samples of short-necked clam produced in Kumamoto Prefecture. These findings suggested potential transmission of V vulnificus through the water environment along the coast of the Japan Sea, that V. vulnificus is easily spread by coldtransport of fresh marine product, and that the occurrence of V. vulnificus infection is possible regardless of one's nearness to coastal areas where V. vulnificus is prevalent.