Detection of Vibrio cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus from the coast of Buenos Aires province, Argentina

Vibrio species are native from aquatic ecosystems, Vibrio cholerae (Vc), V. parahaemolyticus (Vp) and V. vulnificus (Vv) are potentially pathogenic to human. They are responsible for many cases of diseases associated with... [ view full abstract ]

Vibrio species are native from aquatic ecosystems, Vibrio cholerae (Vc), V. parahaemolyticus (Vp) and V. vulnificus (Vv) are potentially pathogenic to human. They are responsible for many cases of diseases associated with seafood consumption. The aim of this work was to investigate their presence in the environment to obtain data that contribute to the microbiological risk assessment of the fishery products. During the summer of 2015, we collected 4 water samples and 3 of bivalve molluscs (Mesodesma mactroides) from coast of Buenos Aires province, and we used ISO/TS21872 as the analytical method. The isolates were identified by PCR. One hundred-fifty typical colonies were selected from TCBS and CHROMagar Vibrio, of which 94 (63%) were confirmed as Vp; 7 (4.7%) as Vc and 8 (5.3%) as Vv. Vc was detected in 2 water samples, virulence genes (ctx-tcp) and serotypes O1-O139 were not detected; Vp were identified in all samples but no genes associated with virulence tdh-trh were detected. Whereas Vv was detected in all water samples and in one bivalve molluscs sample. In two of the four water samples the virulence vuiB even gene was found. Temperature values ranged from 22.1 to 25.9°C, while salinity from 9.25 to 31.28 ups. These results demonstrate the presence of potentially pathogenic vibrios and confirm the need to deepen these studies. It is necessary to strengthen clinical diagnosis in the areas of greatest risk and to activate its surveillance in foods of aquatic origin.