Isolation of Vibrio vulnificus from sea water and sand along the Dan region coast of the Mediterranean

The occurrence of Vibrio vulnificus incoastal sea water and sand was investigated. Samples (286 in toto) were taken during the period between November 1993 and July 1994. Ten V. vulnificus isolates (6.9%) were recovered from sea water and two isolates were recovered from sand (1.4%). The total isolation rate for this period was 4.2%. In a longer period of investigation, from June 1996 until June 1998 (24 months), 1,248 samples were taken and 205 V. vulnificus isolates were recorded (32.8%) in sea water while only 18 isolates in sand (2.9%). The total isolation rate was 17.9%. The monthly occurrence of this bacterial species in the various beaches surveyed demonstrated that V. vulnificus is more frequent during the months of July, August and September. The increase in the number of isolates during the past 2 years started as early as March and finished as late as October. Antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed that this species is sensitive to most antibiotics, except polymyxin B and colistin. The relatively high isolation rate of this bacterium from sea water may be dangerous to bathers, fishermen and divers with predisposed wounds.