Korean J Dermatol.  2008 Nov;46(11):1453-1456.

Determination of the Biogroup of Vibrio vulnificus Isolates from Patients and Oysters in Korea

• Seo PS
• Kim BS
• Kim SM
• Park SD

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Vibrio vulnificus are divided into 3 biogroups based on their biochemical and serological properties and the existence of eel virulence. Only a few studies can be found on the biogroups of V. vulnificus in other countries, and no such studies have been done in Korea.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the presence of biogroups other than biogroup 1 among the V. vulnificus isolated from septic patients and from oysters in Korea.
METHODS
A total of 103 isolates (53 from septic patients and 50 from oyster) were used. The API 20E system was used to confirm identification of the V. vulnificus. Conventional biochemical tests and vvA gene detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to determine the biogroups.
RESULTS
The clinical and oyster isolates showed results similar to the biochemical tests. All of the clinical and oyster isolates showed the biochemical pattern of biogroup 1. The vvhA gene was detected in all of the isolates.
CONCLUSION
All of the V. vulnificus isolates from the septic patients and oysters in Korea belong to biogroup 1.

Keyword

Biogroup; Virio vulnificus

MeSH Terms

Eels
Humans
Korea
Ostreidae
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Vibrio
Vibrio vulnificus