Molecular Diagnostics of Pathogenic Vibrio: Target Selection, Detection Platforms, and Challenges in Field Applications

Pathogenic Vibrio species, including Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae, and Vibrio vulnificus, are major foodborne and environmental pathogens that threaten public health. Rapid and accurate detection is crucial for clinical diagnostics, food safety monitoring, and environmental surveillance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of molecular detection strategies for pathogenic Vibrio, integrating three key aspects: (i) selection of molecular targets, including species-specific, virulence-associated, and regulatory genes; (ii) analytical performance and limitations of major detection platforms, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods, isothermal amplification, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems, high-throughput sequencing (HTS), and biosensor-based approaches; and (iii) applicability across clinical, food, and environmental scenarios. We highlight the influence of genetic variability, sample matrix complexity, and viability on detection accuracy and discuss the advantages and limitations of single- and multi-target approaches. Emerging trends toward next-generation diagnostics, including integrated microfluidic platforms, CRISPR-Cas-based detection, multiplex assays, and artificial intelligence(AI)-assisted data analysis, are also examined. By identifying gaps and challenges in the routine deployment of these technologies, this review offers practical insights for the development of rapid, field-deployable diagnostic strategies for Vibrio pathogens.