Occurrence of Vibrio vulnificus in mussel farms from the Varano lagoon environment |
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Authors: | L. Beneduce A. Vernile G. Spano S. Massa F. Lamacchia J.D. Oliver |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Food Science, Foggia University, Foggia, Italy;2. Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC, USA |
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Abstract: | Aims: Monitoring the occurrence of the human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus in a mussel farm located in the lagoon of Varano (Italy). Methods and Results: A total of 72 samples of mussel, water and sediment, collected from two locations of Varano lagoon in the Gargano peninsula, during a 7‐ month survey, were analysed. Isolation and PCR characterization of six V. vulnificus environmental genotype strains revealed that this pathogen was isolated when with T was above 22°C and salinity ranged between 22·7 and 26·4‰. No significant correlation of the occurrence of V. vulnificus with water pH or salinity was observed. Moreover, 8% of mussel samples were found to be contaminated by V. vulnificus. All of that positive mussel samples originated from the same sampling station. Conclusion: It is suggested that warmer season are risky to eat raw or undercooked bivalve molluscs in the local area. Significance and Impact of the Study: To increase knowledge about environmental conditions that may affect the occurrence of waterborne pathogen Vibrio vulnificus in seafood. |
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Keywords: | aquaculture mussel Vibrio vulnificus waterborne pathogens |
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