Distribution of Vibrio vulnificus in Chonnam Coastal Area

전만해안지역의 비브리오 패혈증균(Vibrio vulnificus) 분포

Vibrio vulnificus, a normal bacterial inhabitant of estuaries, is of concern because it can be a potent human pathogen, a causing septicemia, wound infections and gastrointestinal disease in susceptible host. In this survey, total 431 samples were obtained from different sites of the Chonman coastal area during the periods from Mar. 1997 to Feb. 1998. Vibrio vulnificus was isolated from the middle of May to the begining of November of 1997 in Chonman coastal area, as the seawater temperature was at 20$^{\circ}C$ and 15$^{\circ}C$, respectively and was rapidly increased to above 40% from July to September. The isolation rates of V. vulnificus from sediment, seawater, raw seafoods and aquarium water were 52.1%, 49.1%, 32.5%, and 27.3%, respectively and isolation rate was highest in oyster among various collected samples. V.vulnificus was also isolated from 73.1%(38/52) of sampling sites of Chonman coastal area.