Article Summary:
The article entitled The Biology of Vibrio vulnificus provides a short discussion about the more important aspects of this pathogen. This pathogenic bacteria are known as one among the most deadly foodborne pathogen in the US, contributing to about 95 percent of deaths related to seafood acquired microbes in the country. Reports revealed that a larger number of cases occur during the more temperate months of May and October. The period of incubation is quite rapid, with an average of about 26 hours after ingestion, and the patient showing symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, pain in the abdomen, hypotension and secondary lesions that usually appear on the extremities. About 80,000 individuals in the United States alone contracted the Vibrio infection annually, and this contributed to 500 hospitalizations and about 100 deaths.
There are several risk factors that contribute to the development of infections caused by V. vulnificus. Studies found that people who are suffering from chronic illnesses such as liver diseases are likely to elevate the possibility of developing the infection. This can be due to the increased serum iron due to the damage of the iron reservoir of the body. Iron is found to be an element that promotes the survival ability of V. vulnificus in the body. In addition to that, the infection is also lined to the consumption of oysters, which are considered as having the “greatest importance in the transmission of this most fatal seafood-born pathogen” (Oliver 4). The author also pointed out that the existence of infections in parts of Europe and other areas so that V. vulnificus was not only reported in oysters and other estuarine animals, but also in fish, and how it appears to be spreading into other areas where it used to be inexistent.
Another factor that impacts the spread of the infection is water salinity and temperature. The salt requirement of V. vulnificus is not high, and this organism may not survive in waters with high salinity. Further, water temperature is also considered a parameter that is critical to the survival of the V. vulnificus and on how it can possibly cause human infections. Consequently, the considerable increase sea water temperature due to global warming is theorized to result in the escalation of the organism geographic distribution.
Personal Evaluation of the Article:
The study of the V. vunificus is an important step in understanding this organism and the factor that contributes to its prevalence, not only in the United States but also in other parts of the world. The authors pointed out the symptoms of the infection, and people, especially medical practitioners should be aware of these signs in order to be able to administer medication immediately after a diagnosis. The statistical report about 80,0000 people that contract the disease annually in the United States alone is reason enough to conduct further study about the ecological factors that impact the survival of the V. vunificus. Raising awareness about the danger of having this infection would be helpful for people to be more cautious about their health, such as in the consumption of oysters that are said to be a common carrier of the organism.
Further, the infection caused by the V. vunificus is alarming enough to cause fear, and the information provided by this article is helpful in understanding the factors that contribute to the spread of this deadly infection. By going through the article, one finds the relationship of the survival and increase of the V. vunificus to global warming, which is one among the major environmental concerns we have today. The global warming brought about by the climate change resulted in the change in water salinity and temperature. According to the article, there is an increased survival and the possibility of this fatal organism to spread into other regions. The result of the study linking the increase of V. vunificus and the threat of spreading in other places to global warming should serve as a warning to us. While the article is focused on this particular organism, people should take into consideration that it is one among the consequences of environmental destruction.
Special Terms and Abbreviations
a. Pathogen: this is referred as an infectious agent that can cause diseases, usually borne from unsafe food and unsanitary places.
b. Incubation: When referring to the field of microbiology, incubation refers to the development of contagious diseases, which is initiated from the entry of pathogen in the body.
c. Hypotension: low blood pressure, usually caused by factors such as impaired blood circulation, infections and other disorders.
Works Cited
Oliver, James. "The Biology of Vibrio Vulnivicus." Microbiology Spectrum: American society for Microbiology Press 3.3 (2015): n. pag. Web.
