Ecology of Vibrio Cholerae, Vibrio Parahaemolyticus and Related Vibrios in the Natural Environment

Abstract

Since the discovery of the ubiquitous distribution of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in estuarine and coastal waters, several new species of the genus Vibrio have been identified as human pathogens during the past few years, including Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio fluvialis, Vibrio hollisae, Vibrio damsela, and Vibrio mimicus. Brackish and estuarine waters have been identified as a common habitat for many of these and related Vibrio spp. Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of epidemic cholera, has been isolated from a variety of clinical and environmental samples. The majority of V. cholerae from environmental sources have been non-01 serovars, although isolation of 01 serovars has been reported in areas where limited outbreaks of cholera have occurred(1).