弧菌是海水或咸水生物群落的天然组成部分。弧菌浓度受到水温和盐度的影响,随季节发生变化。当水温介于 17°C (62.5°F)-35°C (95°F) 之间,盐度为 5%-25% 时,弧菌浓度最高。当水温降至复制温度以下时,创伤弧菌可存活但无法生长,存在于海洋沉积物中。[23]Strom MS, Paranjpye RN. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of Vibrio vulnificus. Microbes Infect. 2000;2:177-188.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10742690?tool=bestpractice.com[30]Tantillo GM, Fontanarosa M, Di Pinto A, et al. Updated perspectives on emerging vibrios associated with human infections. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2004;39:117-126.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15242449?tool=bestpractice.com
开放性伤口(例如腿部溃疡、擦伤、烧伤创面)受海水污染后,弧菌将借机渗入更深层的组织中。已报告的人类创伤弧菌感染中大约 30% 由海水污染伤口或海洋相关事故所致。[5]Dechet AM, Yu PA, Koram N, et al. Nonfoodborne Vibrio infections: an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, 1997-2006. Clin Infect Dis. 2008;46:970-976.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18444811?tool=bestpractice.com[18]Oliver JD. Wound infections caused by Vibrio vulnificus and other marine bacteria. Epidemiol Infect. 2005;133:383-391.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15962544?tool=bestpractice.com[23]Strom MS, Paranjpye RN. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of Vibrio vulnificus. Microbes Infect. 2000;2:177-188.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10742690?tool=bestpractice.com[30]Tantillo GM, Fontanarosa M, Di Pinto A, et al. Updated perspectives on emerging vibrios associated with human infections. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2004;39:117-126.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15242449?tool=bestpractice.com[31]Kumamoto KS, Vukich DJ. Clinical infections of Vibrio vulnificus: a case report and review of the literature. J Emerg Med. 1998;16:61-66.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9472762?tool=bestpractice.com
溶藻弧菌经常导致其他方面健康的年轻人因在海水中游泳或冲浪而发生浅表耳部或眼部疾病。[5]Dechet AM, Yu PA, Koram N, et al. Nonfoodborne Vibrio infections: an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, 1997-2006. Clin Infect Dis. 2008;46:970-976.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18444811?tool=bestpractice.com[18]Oliver JD. Wound infections caused by Vibrio vulnificus and other marine bacteria. Epidemiol Infect. 2005;133:383-391.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15962544?tool=bestpractice.com