Pathogenesis of Vibrio vulnificus in Ariake See and Clinical and epidemiologic features using Micro IF assays

创伤弧菌（Vibrio vulnificus）是一种常见于海水中的嗜盐革兰氏阴性菌，主要通过食用生海鲜引起肝功能障碍患者的坏死性筋膜炎和败血症。这项研究的目的是减少这种致命的食物和水传播感染的受害者。首先，我们在日本对该病进行了流行病学调查。这项研究表明，一半以上的病例报告来自九州北部有明海附近的医院。我们还调查了有明海地区细菌的爆发趋势与生长环境的关系。其次，为了筛选创伤弧菌易感人群，我们建立了抗体滴度分析。使用微if法，我们测量了一名患者和21名健康志愿者对标准菌株的抗体滴度。虽然8名健康志愿者对某些菌株的抗体滴度很高，但所有患者的抗体滴度都很低。此外，该系统还将使诊断和评估治疗更容易和更快。第三，我们试图阐明建立新的治疗策略的可能性，如接种疫苗。我们正在尝试制作创伤弧菌感染的动物模型。这些数据可能有助于有明海沿岸地区人民的健康促进。该数据还可作为有明海地区的环境调查指标之一。此外，研究结果可能对韩国和美国等遭受类似医疗保健问题的国家有用。

Vibrio vulnificus is a halophilic gram-negative bacterium common in marine waters, which causes necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis in patients with liver dysfunction mainly through ingestion of raw sea food. The purpose of this study is to reduce the victim of this fatal food- and water-borne infection.At first, we conducted epidemiological survey of this disease in Japan. This study demonstrated that more than half of the cases were reported from hospitals in northern Kyusyu around Ariake Sea. We also investigated the relationship between outbreak trend and growth environment of the bacteria in the Ariake Sea region.Secondly, in order to screen people susceptible to V.vulnificus, we developed the antibody titer analysis. Using micro-IF assay, we measured antibody titer against standard strains in one patient and 21 healthy volunteers. Whilst antibody titers against some strains in eight healthy volunteers were high, all antibody titers in the patients were low. Moreover, this system would also make the diagnosis and the evaluation of the therapy much easier and faster.Thirdly, we tried to elucidate the possibilities to establish new strategies for the treatment such as vaccination. We are now trying to make animal models of V.vulnificus infection.These data might contribute to the health promotion of the people in the coastal area of Ariake Sea. Also the data could utilize as one of the environmental indicators to survey the Ariake Sea region.Moreover, the findings might be useful for foreign countries such as Korea, and US suffering from similar health care problems.