Vibrio vulnificus and Liver Disease

Vibrio vulnificus and Liver Disease




If you have liver disease and happen to love
is that the high levels of iron in the blood
raw oysters, you need to know about a life-
may impair the white blood cells’ ability to
threatening bacterium for those with liver
fight infection. Visualize your white blood
disease. Thoroughly cooked oysters will not
cells as your immune system’s first line of
harm you, but if you eat them raw, you
defense in combating infection. When your
could become a statistic.
immune system is operating efficiently, you

are healthy, but when your liver is damaged,
The same conditions that make for plump,
the white blood cells may be weakened and
tasty oysters also create an ideal
Vibrio vulnificus has a heyday.
environment for Vibrio vulnificus, the

bacterium that often lives inside oysters
When vibrios move from the sea, which
harvested from warm coastal waters, such as
provides a fairly limited environment, to the
the Gulf of Mexico.
human body, Dr. Gulig says, “It’s like

coming upon a banquet.” The bacteria
Surveillance Epidemiologist Colleen Crowe,
multiply so rapidly that they cause massive
with the Centers for Disease Control and
infection. In fact, he adds, “I tell my
Prevention, explains that oysters feed by
students that vibrios grow faster than any
filtering surrounding water where vibrios
bacteria I’ve ever seen.”
may thrive. When those with liver disease

feast on raw oysters, they may unknowingly
In addition, he explains that by definition,
consume
Vibrio vulnificus as well,
those with liver disease filter blood more
unwittingly setting up a situation for the
poorly than the general population. It’s like
bacteria to multiply inside the body.
living with dirtier blood; much like a used

oil filter in a car wouldn’t do nearly as good
For most individuals, the worst that can
a job as a clean one. Once in the body, the
happen are mild symptoms such as diarrhea,
vibrios migrate to the bloodstream where
stomachache or vomiting. Liver disease,
they multiply so quickly that they
however, leaves the body vulnerable to
overwhelm the white blood cells. The victim
rapidly progressing infection that can end in
can experience extensive soft tissue damage
death.
and septicemia (blood poisoning).


Dr. Paul Gulig, a microbiologist with the
According to the Food and Drug
University of Florida, is using animal
Administration’s “Bad Bug Book”, only
models to study why liver disease is so
about 50% of those who experience
compatible with vibrios. The latest thinking
septicemia survive.




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Vibrio vulnificus and Liver Disease



Interstate
Shellfish
Sanitation
Conference
209 Dawson Road, Suite 2
Columbia, SC 29223
803-788-7559
803-788-7576 Fax
Email issc@issc.org

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Fact: The CDC cautions that 40% of cases
You might have heard of some tricks to
occur during the cooler months, from
avoid Vibrio vulnificus infection, but here
September through April, even though the
are the facts:
bacteria are most abundant during the

warmer months.
Myth: Smother the oysters in hot sauce such

as Tabasco.
Myth: Alcoholic drinks kill harmful

bacteria.
Fact: Dr. Gulig says this “technique” is

useless.
Fact: Alcohol won’t do any better job than

plain water will.
Myth: If you know your oysters, you can tell

a good one from a bad one.
You don’t have to give up eating oysters

entirely, however because thorough cooking
Fact: Vibrios cannot be tasted, seen or
destroys Vibrio vulnificus. The Food and
smelled. Even a restaurant with high
Drug Administration recommends that you
turnover cannot guarantee that these harmful
boil oysters until the shells open and then
vibrios are not present.
continue cooking five more minutes. If you

steam them, wait until the shells open and
Myth: A few oysters can’t do much damage.
time additional steaming for nine more

minutes. If you are cooking shucked
Fact: Roberta Hammond, Ph.D., Florida’s
oysters, boil them at least three full minutes
Food and Waterborne Disease Coordinator,
or fry them in oil at least ten minutes at 375
says she has documented fatalities when
degrees. Never mix cooked oysters with the
only three oysters were consumed.
juice from raw ones and eat the cooked

oysters soon after preparing them. Be sure
Myth: You don’t have to worry if the
to refrigerate any leftovers.
oysters are from clean waters.


Oyster lovers may shudder at the very idea
Fact: Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally
of heating oysters at all, saying that cooking
occurring bacterium with no connection to
spoils the experience. The thrill, they claim,
pollution.
is in the cold, sea-infused oyster sliding

down the throat. But the risk is too high. If
Myth: Avoid raw oysters during the months
you have liver disease, cooking oysters
without the letter “r” and you don’t have to
thoroughly is your only defense for an
worry.
already hard-working liver.






_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Vibrio vulnificus and Liver Disease



Interstate
Shellfish
Sanitation
Conference
209 Dawson Road, Suite 2
Columbia, SC 29223
803-788-7559
803-788-7576 Fax
Email issc@issc.org

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