Emergence of Vibrio and related genera infections in a hotspot of climate risks, southern Spain, 2010-2023

Abstract

Vibrio has emerged as one of responsive pathogens to the conditions imposed by global warming, with an increasing impact in northern Europe. The epidemiological significance of these pathogens remains undetermined in the south of Europe. We analyzed clinical and epidemiological data from cases in southern Spain, a well-established climate hotspot. A 13-year retrospective analysis identified 167 clinical infection cases. Monthly seawater temperatures since 2010 were also evaluated to assess their correlation with infection occurrence. V. alginolyticus, Shewanella putrefaciens, S. algae, V. parahaemolyticus, V. fluvialis, and V. vulnificus were the most frequently isolated species from clinical cases such as otitis, gastroenteritis, infected wounds, and sepsis. An increase in incidence was observed over the study period in parallel to the warming trend in coastal waters. While this suggests an association between environmental change and Vibrio infections, additional factors such as population exposure patterns may likely also contribute. These findings underscore the need for surveillance systems to monitor the burden of these infections.