Vibrio efforts will compare the effects of genetic and environmental factors on the uptake, persistence, and depletion of pandemic V. parahaemolyticus O3:K6, and other virulent and avirulent strains of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in oysters. We will also isolate and characterize bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) which infect fish and human pathogenic vibrios (e.g., V. tubiashii, V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus) with the goal of developing phage-based processing strategies to eliminate these pathogens from shellfish.

Enteric virus studies will focus on developing enhanced detection techniques, evaluating mitigation strategies, and identifying mechanisms of virus persistence within shellfish. Virus detection research will seek methods to discriminate between infectious and inactivated viruses as well as to simplify, streamline, and automate shellfish extraction protocols for viruses (e.g., hepatitis A virus and human norovirus).

Intervention strategies for hepatitis A and E viruses, and noroviruses will focus on alternative technologies, such as non-thermal processing techniques (e.g., high pressure and electron beam irradiation) with the ultimate goal to mitigate shellfish contamination and illness, and to reduce financial losses to the shellfish aquaculture industry.

This project provides an integrated approach to address vibrio and virus issues relevant to industry, regulatory, and consumer needs.