| Vibrio vulnificus is an estuarine bacterium which is known to be a significant human pathogen. It occurs in high numbers in oysters and other molluscan shelfish, where it is part of the animals' normal flora. V. vulnificus occurs in two colony morphotypes; the opaque, encapsulated variety is virulent, whereas the translucent, non encapsulated variety is avirulent. Studies were carried out to determine if the opaque and translucent morphotypes were taken up by oysters (Crassostrea virginica) at different rates, and whether UV - assisted depuration proceeded at different rates. Possible interconversion of the opaque and translucent morphotypes was also examined, as was the possibility that the virulence ofVibrio vulnificus would be modified following passage... |
