Biological and genetic analysis of Vibrio vulnificus in the slime of tidal flats, seawater, and fishes colleted along Ariake Sea, Japan

为了解日本有明海创伤弧菌的季节变化，从有明海沿岸3个港口的潮滩黏液、海水和鱼类中分离出创伤弧菌。样本于2001年1 - 12月每月采集两次。结果表明，创伤弧菌全年均有分离，但在暖季（6 ~ 10月）分离率较高。暖季分离的菌株在含0.5% NaCl的培养基中能够生长，其余季节分离的菌株则不能生长。此外，在温暖季节分离的菌株比在其他季节分离的菌株表现出更强的溶血活性。这些结果表明，在温暖季节分离的创伤弧菌在自然界中比在其他季节分离的弧菌更具活力。成功地用50微米硫脲脉冲场凝胶电泳进行了遗传分析。然而，所研究的菌株之间没有发现相同的带型。

To investigate the seasonal change of Vibrio vulnificus in Ariake Sea, Japan, we attempted to isolate V.vulnificus from the slime of tidal flats, seawater, and fishes obtained from three harbors along Ariake Sea. The samples were collected twice a month from January to December,2001. Also, we determined the biological and genetic characteristics of the individual isolates.V.vulnificus were isolated throughout the year, but the isolation ratios were higher during the warmer season from June to October. The isolates in the warmer season were able to grow in culture media containing 0.5% NaCl, whereas those isolated in the remaining seasons could not. Moreover, the isolates in the warmer season showed greater hemolytic activity than those isolated in the remaining seasons. Those results suggest that V.vulnificus isolated in the warmer seasons are more vigorous in nature than those isolated in the remaining seasons.Genetic analysis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis using 50microM thiourea was successfully achieved. However, no identical band pattern was detected among strains studied.