This study contributes to the prevention of Vibrio vulnificus infection by monitoring the bacterium in seafood and eastern coastal areas of Jeollanam-do and analyzing its toxin genes and antibiotic resistance. A total of 72 isolates were obtained from...
This study contributes to the prevention of Vibrio vulnificus infection by monitoring the bacterium in seafood and eastern coastal areas of Jeollanam-do and analyzing its toxin genes and antibiotic resistance. A total of 72 isolates were obtained from 820 samples, showing an overall isolation rate of 8.8%. However, Vibrio vulnificus was not isolated from seafood samples. The isolation rate was 8.8% in seawater and 9.3% in mud flats. The detection rate in the eastern coastal areas of Jeollanam-do was lower than that reported in other regions. Among seawater isolates, the toxin genes rtxA, viu, and vvhA were detected in 85.7%, 80.8%, and 100% of isolates, respectively. Among mud flat isolates, rtxA, viu, and vvhA genes were detected in 94.6%, 70.3%, and 100% of isolates, respectively. Overall, the toxin gene tests showed high detection rates. Therefore, although the isolation rate was relatively low, the potential virulence of strains causing infection in this region is considered to be high. In antibiotic susceptibility tests, seawater isolates showed 100% susceptibility to ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefazolin, and meropenem, while 2.9% showed resistance to imipenem. Mud flat isolates showed 100% susceptibility to ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, piperacillin/tazobactam, and meropenem, while 5.4% showed intermediate resistance to cefazolin and 8.1% showed resistance to imipenem. In conclusion, although the detection rate of Vibrio vulnificus in this region was lower than that in other areas, the toxin gene detection rate was high. Therefore, seafood should be thoroughly washed under running water and fully cooked before consumption.