Urea-hydrolyzing Vibrio parahaemolyticus associated with acute gastroenteritis
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|September 1, 1982
Summary
A rare urea-hydrolyzing Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain caused gastroenteritis in the US. This finding highlights the importance of specific diagnostic tests for identifying unusual bacterial pathogens in foodborne illnesses.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis globally.
- Most strains of V. parahaemolyticus are non-urea-hydrolyzing.
- Urea-hydrolyzing strains are infrequently reported and poorly characterized.
Observation:
- A case of gastroenteritis was linked to a urea-hydrolyzing Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolate.
- The identified bacterial strain exhibited typical V. parahaemolyticus characteristics, except for urea hydrolysis and methyl red test results.
Findings:
- This represents the first documented instance of a urea-hydrolyzing V. parahaemolyticus strain causing gastroenteritis in the United States.
- The isolate's unique biochemical profile underscores the diversity within V. parahaemolyticus.
Implications:
- Clinicians and laboratories should consider screening for urea-hydrolyzing V. parahaemolyticus in cases of unexplained gastroenteritis.
- The oxidase test is crucial for identifying suspicious non-lactose-fermenting colonies in stool specimens, aiding in the diagnosis of atypical pathogens.
- Further research into the prevalence and pathogenicity of urea-hydrolyzing V. parahaemolyticus strains is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Stringent Response in E. coli
533
Bacterial growth is closely tied to nutrient availability, with cells proliferating exponentially under favorable conditions and entering a stationary phase when resources become scarce. This transition is mediated by a regulatory mechanism known as the stringent response, which allows bacteria to adapt to nutrient deprivation by modulating gene expression and metabolic activity.During nutrient scarcity, intracellular amino acid levels decline. It results in the accumulation of uncharged tRNAs...
533
01:28Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
59
The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...
59
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
92
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...
92
01:25Cholera
153
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,...
153
01:26Gastritis II: Pathophysiology
87
The pathophysiology of gastritis begins with the colonization of the stomach lining by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This bacterium spreads mainly via the oral-oral route through saliva or shared utensils, and can also be transmitted in overcrowded or unhygienic environments through contaminated water, despite its brief survival outside the body.ColonizationOnce ingested, H. pylori enters the stomach and begins colonization by navigating through the mucus layer lining the stomach wall. It...
87
01:24Peptic Ulcer Disease II: Pathophysiology
76
Peptic ulcer disease develops when protective mechanisms of the gastrointestinal mucosa are overwhelmed by harmful factors, leading to localized erosions in the stomach or proximal duodenum. The main causes are Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).Helicobacter pylori–Induced InjuryBacterial Adaptation and Colonization:H. pylori is a spiral, Gram-negative bacterium adapted to the acidic stomach. and transmitted through oral-oral or...
76