Development of a Molecular Subtyping Method & Phylogenetic and Genetic Analysis of Vibrio Isolates Associated with Marine Sponge

Vibrio represents a diverse bacterial genus found in different niches of the marine environment, including corals, molluscs, zooplankton and marine sponges. Many of these species such as Vibrio cholera, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio vulnificus severe human disease, after exposure of skin wounds to contaminated seawater (septicemia), ingestion of contaminated water, or consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, producing a wide range of patient morbidity and, on occasion, mortality. Vibrio infections are commonly reported worldwide. Since 1996, the number of infections caused by pathogenic Vibrio species has steadily increased, being associated with outbreaks in Africa, North America, Chile, India, Southeast Asia, Japan and, most recently, in Germany, Spain, France and Italy. Therefore, there is a growing concern that Vibrio species, particularly V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus, might become a critical clinical problem in those regions. Hence, identification and subtyping of Vibrio isolates are of significant importance to both public health and the safety of the human food supply.

The main factors influencing the occurrence and distribution of Vibrio species in aquatic environments are ecology, survival, source and association with marine organisms. To understand disease emergence, it is important to investigate and understand the complete biology of the activator including its interactions with possible environmental reservoir(s), vectors and other animal hosts. Ultimately, complete characterization will allow for determination as to how these pathogens may be disseminated and introduced into human populations leading to outbreaks akin to those noted above. This study culminates in a detailed and novel contribution to the population genetics, taxonomy, and microbial ecology of the vibrios that continue to remain a constant threat to the food supply and public health.