Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
09:34
Development of a More Sensitive and Specific Chromogenic Agar Medium for the Detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Other Vibrio Species
Published on: November 8, 2016
Extraintestinal Vibrio infections in Mauritius
Mohammad I Issack1, Deoraz Appiah, Ameen Rassoul
1Central Health Laboratory, Victoria Hospital, Candos, Mauritius. missack@intnet.mu
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
|September 12, 2009
Summary
Extraintestinal Vibrio infections are rare in Africa. This report details three cases from Mauritius, including Vibrio alginolyticus otitis externa, non-O1 Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus soft tissue infection, and a fatal non-O1 Vibrio cholerae cellulitis and septicaemia.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Extraintestinal Vibrio infections are infrequently documented in Africa.
- Vibrio species are increasingly recognized as emerging pathogens globally.
- Understanding regional epidemiology is crucial for public health preparedness.
Observation:
- Three distinct cases of extraintestinal Vibrio infections were identified in Mauritius.
- Case 1: Vibrio alginolyticus causing otitis externa.
- Case 2: Mixed infection with non-O1 Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in soft tissue.
- Case 3: Fatal non-O1 Vibrio cholerae infection involving cellulitis and septicaemia.
Findings:
- This case series highlights the presence of diverse extraintestinal Vibrio pathogens in Mauritius.
- Vibrio alginolyticus, non-O1 Vibrio cholerae, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were identified.
- The spectrum of disease ranged from localized otitis externa to severe, fatal septicaemia.
Implications:
- These findings suggest a potential underestimation of Vibrio-related morbidity in the African region.
- Highlights the need for increased surveillance and diagnostic capabilities for Vibrio infections in Africa.
- Informs clinical awareness and management strategies for extraintestinal Vibrio infections in tropical and subtropical regions.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
01:25Cholera
Cholera is an acute gastrointestinal disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route through the ingestion of contaminated water or food.Vibrio cholerae is a motile, Gram-negative bacterium of the family Vibrionaceae, primarily associated with waterborne outbreaks in areas with inadequate sanitation. Although over 200 serogroups of V. cholerae exist, only O1 and O139 are responsible for epidemic cholera. The O1 serogroup,...
01:12Giardiasis
Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...
01:26Bacterial Phylum Verrucomicrobiota
The phylum Verrucomicrobiota comprises at least four characterized orders, with most species classified within the order Verrucomicrobiotales. Members of this phylum are either aerobic or facultatively aerobic, with the ability to ferment sugars. A notable exception is the genus Methylacidiphilum, which consists of aerobic methanotrophs. Additionally, some Verrucomicrobiota establish symbiotic relationships with protists. These bacteria are widely distributed across various environments,...
01:29Malaria
Malaria pathogenesis in humans reflects a delicate interplay between parasite biology and host response. Clinical illness reflects a host’s immune response to the parasite’s asexual replication cycle, which is often asymptomatic in individuals with partial immunity. From the parasite's perspective, transmission between mosquito and human with minimal host pathology is evolutionarily advantageous. Among the six Plasmodium species infecting humans, P. falciparum and P. vivax dominate in global...
01:30Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is a protozoal disease caused by species of the genus Leishmania and transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies. The parasite exists in two principal morphological forms during its life cycle. A sandfly acquires intracellular amastigotes from an infected reservoir host, such as a dog. Within the sandfly, these forms differentiate into motile, flagellated promastigotes. During a subsequent blood meal, promastigotes are injected into the human host, where they...