Pavia, Andrew T., Bryan, John A., Maher, Kathryn L., Hester, T. Roderick, Jr., and Farmer, J.J., III
The organisms of the genus Vibrio can cause disease in humans, with the most widely infective organism being Vibrio cholerae, which causes cholera. Eleven species of Vibrio have been isolated from clinical specimens. Some of these isolates have been shown to cause disease, while the pathogenicity of others have not yet been determined. The bacteria of the Vibrio species are found primarily in salty and brackish water, mostly in the summer and fall seasons. They are present in shellfish and various fish. Clinical symptoms of infection with Vibrio include gastroenteritis, wound infection, ear infection, and infection in the blood. A case study is presented of a new strain, Vibrio carchariae, which was transmitted to an individual by a shark and caused serious infection of the wounds caused by the shark. Damaged tissue and cellular debris had to be removed from the wound by surgery. The bacteria did not extensively invade other tissues, nor was this strain toxic to the whole body. There are only a few reports of the infection of human wounds from shark bites. However, research has shown that various bacteria, including various species of Vibrio, are present on the teeth of sharks. Therefore, treatment of infected wounds that have occurred by marine animals, including sharks, should include antibiotics such as tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, and cephalosporins, which are effective against various species of Vibrio. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)