In summary, the findings from our pilot study suggest that when oysters experience one or multiple stresses, ranging from gametogenesis to increased temperatures and/or other various factors that have been shown to alter the physiological status of the animal, the trend is an increased susceptibility to bacteria infection. In addition, animals that are exposed to high levels of V. parahaemolyticus and an increase in temperature, be it the summer or the fall, may be unable to effectively remove the contaminating bacteria to levels safe for oyster consumers. Overall, it appears that V. parahaemolyticus is more of an opportunist that may be effectively “kept in check” by an immunocompetent animal but should that animal be subjected to stress, such as an HS, gametogenesis or combination of these, V. parahaemolyticus may overcome the oyster cellular defenses and monopolize the situation. Further studies defining this balance between V. parahaemolyticus and the Pacific oyster could provide some insight into Vibrio-oyster interactions as well as open up new areas of research for effective depuration strategies to ultimately reduce the contamination of this bacterium and possibly other naturally occurring Vibrio species, reducing seafood-borne illness in the United States and worldwide.