Isolation and Detection of Vibrio vulnificus from Coastal Seawater of Babolsar

Background: Vibrio (v.) vulnificus strains are a human pathogenic bacteria that reside innately in coastal seawaters and shellfish. The bacteria can cause severe skin infections and quickly develop a lethal septicemia in immunocompromised individuals, who have eaten raw shellfish. Objectives: The goal of this investigation was to define the prevalence of V. vulnificus in seawater samples collected from coastal seawaters. Methods: Three hundred seawater specimens were prepared during spring and summer. Isolated bacteria were confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and by sequencing of PCR products. Results: The PCR technique of 276 presumptive V. vulnificus isolates showed two (0.72%) positive amplifications of the gyrB gene. Vibrio vulnificus was isolated from specimens collected during the summer months. Conclusions: In the present investigation, the presence of V. vulnificus was confirmed in the coastal waters of Babolsar. Owing to the existence of the bacteria in the coastal water of Babolsar, it appears that swimming with an open wound during summer can result in skin infection and sepsis.