"In the last two years alone, California has experienced sixteen illnesses resulting in ten deaths, despite educational efforts directed at high-risk populations to warn them of the potential hazards of eating raw oysters."
The new test uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to test for the presence of V. vulnificus in as little as eight hours. Current methods require up to three days to confirm contamination.
"Rapid and sensitive detection of V. vulnificus would ensure a steady supply of postharvest treated oysters to consumers, which should help decrease the number of illnesses or outbreaks caused by this pathogen."
(G. Panicker, M.L. Myers, A.K. Bej. 2004. Rapid detection of Vibrio vulnificus in shellfish and Gulf of Mexico water by real-time PCR, 70. 1: 498-507.)
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PET SNAKES MAY BE SOURCE OF SALMONELLA
German researchers have determined that exotic reptiles maintained as pets may be responsible for an increase in Salmonella cases in humans. Their findings appear in the January 2004 issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
"Children under the age of 10 years and immunocompromised people seem to be especially prone to infections with reptile-associated Salmonella spp. and often experience severe clinical courses, including fatalities due to septicemia and meningitis."
In the study, fecal samples were collected from pet snakes and tested for the presence of Salmonella. Strains of Salmonella enterica appeared in eighty-one percent of the samples.
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Contact: Jim Sliwa
jsliwa@asmusa.org
202-942-9297
American Society for Microbiology
15-Jan-2004