The less common members of the Vibrio family are also capable of causing the same kinds of illness as those seen for their relatives. These include wound infections, gastrointestinal illness, ear infections and septicemia.
- Most non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae infections involve less severe gastrointestinal illness, although a minority possess the cholera toxin and can cause cholera-like disease. Fewer cases of wound infections can occur, as well as primary septicemia in susceptible individuals with weakened immune systems.
- Wound and ear infections account for the majority of illness associated with Vibrio alginolyticus, although a small number of cases are also attributed to gastroenteritis.
- Vibrio mimicus is mainly responsible for causing cases of acute gastrointestinal illness. To a much lesser extent, the bacterium is also capable of causing ear infections.
- The bacterium Vibrio fluvialis is mainly associated with gastrointestinal illness and primary septicemia in susceptible individuals.
Wound infections:
Illness associated with wound and soft tissue infections arise after the exposure of a new or pre-existing wound to warm marine, estuarine or brackish water.
- Infections also commonly occur after individuals have lacerated themselves on coral, rocks or while fishing, harvesting, processing and handling fresh seafood and their drippings.
Ear infections:
- These infections arise after swimming, diving, wading or participating in water activities that result in the exposure of the head to warm marine, estuarine or brackish water.
Gastrointestinal illness:
- Cases of gastroenteritis can occur after the consumption of infected/contaminated raw and improperly cooked, or cooked and then re-contaminated fish and shellfish (especially oysters).
- A higher risk of transmission has been linked to the warmer months of the year.
Bloodstream infections or primary septicemia:
These severe infections can occur after the ingestion of infected fish or seafood, primarily oysters, clams and crabs in certain individuals.
- These individuals include those who have weakened immune systems, liver conditions/disease and iron-related disorders (such as hemochromatosis), and are at an elevated risk of developing severe infection.