Seasonal variations in the occurrence of Vibriovulnificusalong the Dutch coast

Abstract

SUMMARYThe seasonal variation in the occurrence ofV. vulnificusin relation to water temperature and salinity was studied along the Dutch coast. In two consecutive yearsV. vulnificusstrains could be isolated in August when the water temperature was highest. The indole-positive strains isolated from North Sea water samples were identical to most strains isolated from human disease and from the environment. However, strains isolated from four of five patients living in countries around the North Sea were different from the North Sea isolates in that they were indole-negative and have a lower NaCl tolerance.