Recreational swimmers' exposure to Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shaw, Kristi S.; Sapkota, Amy R.; Jacobs, John M.; He, Xin; Crump, Byron C.
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 74(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 99
• Page End: 105
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: ANOVA analysis of variance -- ATCC American Tissue Culture Collection -- CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- CFU colony forming unit -- CI confidence interval -- Ct cycle threshold -- DNA deoxyribonucleic acid -- FAO Food and Agricultural Organization -- FDA Food and Drug Administration -- HIV human immunodeficiency virus -- ID50 median infective dose -- NFVI non-foodborne Vibrio infection -- PBS phosphate buffered saline -- PCR polymerase chain reaction -- qPCR quantitative polymerase chain reaction -- TBSA total body surface area -- tdh thermostable direct hemolysin -- trh thermostable related hemolysin -- vcgC virulence correlated gene, clinical -- WHO World Health Organization -- YSI Yellow Springs Instruments; Chesapeake Bay -- Exposure assessment -- Recreational exposure -- Waterborne illness -- Vibrio vulnificus -- Vibrio parahaemolyticus; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.09.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus are ubiquitous in the marine–estuarine environment, but the magnitude of human non-ingestion exposure to these waterborne pathogens is largely unknown. We evaluated the magnitude of dermal exposure to V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus among swimmers recreating in Vibrio -populated waters by conducting swim studies at four swimming locations in the Chesapeake Bay in 2009 and 2011. Volunteers (n = 31) swam for set time periods, and surface water (n = 25) and handwash (n = 250) samples were collected. Samples were analyzed for Vibrio concentrations using quantitative PCR. Linear and logistic regressions were used to evaluate factors associated with recreational exposures. Mean surface water V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus concentrations were 1128 CFU mL − 1 (95% confidence interval (CI): 665.6, 1591.4) and 18 CFU mL − 1 (95% CI: 9.8, 26.1), respectively, across all sampling locations. Mean Vibrio concentrations in handwash samples ( V. vulnificus, 180 CFU cm − 2 (95% CI: 136.6, 222.5); V. parahaemolyticus, 3 CFU cm − 2 (95% CI: 2.4, 3.7)) were significantly associated with Vibrio concentrations in surface water ( V. vulnificus, p < 0.01; V. parahaemolyticus, p < 0.01), but not with salinity or temperature ( V. vulnificus, p = 0.52, p = 0.17; V. parahaemolyticus, p = 0.82, p = 0.06). Handwashing reduced V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus on subjects' hands by approximately one log (93.9%, 89.4%, respectively). It can be concluded that when Chesapeake Bay surface waters are characterized by elevated concentrations of Vibrio, swimmers and individuals working in those waters could experience significant dermal exposures to V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus, increasing their risk of infection. Highlights: Dermal exposures to Vibrio were quantified among Chesapeake Bay swimmers. Bay swimmers are exposed to Vibrio at concentrations for which infection is possible. Handwashing is effective in reducing the number of Vibrio on the skin by one log. Handwash and surface water Vibrio concentration data can be used to assess exposure and possible health risks.