Understanding Vibrio

Pathogenic strains of endemic, environmental Vibrio species are a growing concern in bays and coastal oceans. Vibrio is a bacterial genus known for the specific species, Vibrio cholerae, which has caused several global pandemics. While the incidence of V. cholerae is low in the United States due to effective drinking water sanitation, pathogens from other Vibrio species are emerging as threats to human health, fisheries, and coastal ecosystems in Southern California. These non-cholerae Vibrio species can cause vibriosis, a life-threatening tissue infection transmitted by contact of open wounds with seawater or from consuming raw or undercooked fish or shellfish. In recent years, infections have spread from the Gulf Coast up the Eastern Seaboard, reaching as far north as New Jersey and starting to negatively impact recreation in these waters. Cases of vibriosis are also on the rise in Southern California.

USC Sea Grant is funding this project to isolate and characterize Vibrio species from Newport Bay Estuary, creating a valuable resource for understanding their variety and pathogenic potential. Preliminary data support the hypothesis that seasonal warming of surface ocean temperatures is correlated with a shift towards species of Vibrio known to be adapted to warm water. The Vibrio populations in estuaries such as Newport Bay are often shaped by environmental gradients that distinguish them from offshore populations, so the project plans to compare estuary data with Vibrio populations at the San Pedro Ocean Timeseries site 10 miles off the coast. By layering high- resolution molecular approaches onto existing environmental monitoring programs, this project can enhance understanding of the distribution, variety, and risk profile of Vibrio populations in Southern California estuaries. By developing a robust monitoring program for pathogenic Vibrio, the project aims to equip environmental managers with timely decision-support tools to ensure safe fisheries and recreational areas in Southern California.