Public health aspects of Vibrio spp. related to the consumption of seafood in the EU

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus and non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae are the Vibrio spp. of highest relevance for public health in the EU through seafood consumption. Infection with V. parahaemolyticus is associated with the haemolysins thermostable direct haemolysin (TDH) and TDH-related haemolysin (TRH) and mainly leads to acute gastroenteritis. V. vulnificus infections can lead to sepsis and death in susceptible individuals. V. cholerae non-O1/ non-O139 can cause mild gastroenteritis or lead to severe infections, including sepsis, in susceptible individuals. The pooled prevalence estimate in seafood is 19.6% (95% CI 13.7–27.4), 6.1% (95% CI 3.0–11.8) and 4.1% (95% CI 2.4–6.9) for V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus and non-choleragenic V. cholerae, respectively. Approximately one out of five V. parahaemolyticus-positive samples contain pathogenic strains. A large spectrum of antimicrobial resistances, some of which are intrinsic, has been found in vibrios isolated from seafood or food-borne infections in Europe. Genes conferring resistance to medically important antimicrobials and associated with mobile genetic elements are increasingly detected in vibrios. Temperature and salinity are the most relevant drivers for Vibrio abundance in the aquatic environment. It is anticipated that the occurrence and levels of the relevant Vibrio spp. in seafood will increase in response to coastal warming and extreme weather events, especially in low-salinity/ brackish waters. While some measures, like high-pressure processing, irradiation or depuration reduce the levels of Vibrio spp. in seafood, maintaining the cold chain is important to prevent their growth. Available risk assessments addressed V. parahaemolyticus in various types of seafood and V. vulnificus in raw oysters and octopus. A quantitative microbiological risk assessment relevant in an EU context would be V. parahaemolyticus in bivalve molluscs (oysters), evaluating the effect of mitigations, especially in a climate change scenario. Knowledge gaps related to Vibrio spp. in seafood and aquatic environments are identified and future research needs are prioritised.

Keyword(s)

analytical methods, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, interventions, public health, risk assessment modelling, virulence

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Annex A. Protocol for the assessment of the public health aspects of Vibrio spp. related to the consumption of seafood in the EU
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Annex B. Food Standards Australia New Zealand information request
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Annex C . Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus and non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae human cases associated with seafood consumption in Europe
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Annex D. Analytical methods for the detection and enumeration of potentially enteropathogenic Vibrio spp. in seafood
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Annex E. Antimicrobial resistances of the relevant Vibrio spp. from clinical and seafood associated isolates from Europe as reported in official reports, reviews and primary research papers
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Annex F. Effect of temperature on Vibrio spp. in seafood
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Annex G. Vibrio parahaemolyticus outbreak associated with an increase of seawater temperature (Pacific Northwest, 1997)
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Annex H. Overview of the prevention and control measures along the seafood chain for Vibrio spp.
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Annex I. Characterisation of relevant (quantitative) microbial risk assessment of Vibrio spp. in various types of seafood
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How to cite
Efsa Panel on Biological Hazards (biohaz) , Koutsoumanis Konstantinos, Allende Ana, Alvarez-Ordóñez Avelino, Bolton Declan, Bover-Cid Sara, Chemaly Marianne, de Cesare Alessandra, Herman Lieve, Hilbert Friederike, Lindqvist Roland, Nauta Maarten, Nonno Romolo, Peixe Luisa, Ru Giuseppe, Simmons Marion, Skandamis Panagiotis, Baker-Austin Craig, Hervio Heath Dominique, Martinez-Urtaza Jaime, Sanjuan Caro Eva, Strauch Eckhard, Thébault Anne, Guerra Beatriz, Messens Winy, Simon Ancuta Cezara, Barcia-Cruz Rubén, Suffredini Elisabetta (2024). Public health aspects of Vibrio spp. related to the consumption of seafood in the EU. EFSA Journal. 22 (7). e8896 (92p.). https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8896, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00901/101297/

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