Open AccessIdentification of tdh ‐positive Vibrio parahaemolyticus from an outbreak associated with raw oyster consumption in Spain
Author(s) -
LozanoLeón Antonio,
Torres Julio,
Osorio Carlos R,
Martı́nezUrtaza Jaime
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1016/s0378-1097(03)00604-9
Subject(s) - vibrio parahaemolyticus , outbreak , oyster , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , virulence , shellfish , vibrio infections , pathogenicity , hemolysin , ostreidae , acute gastroenteritis , vibrio , virology , bacteria , fishery , aquatic animal , fish <actinopterygii> , gene , biochemistry , genetics
Between August and September 1999, a total of 64 cases of illness were identified in three episodes of acute gastroenteritis associated with the consumption of live oysters from a typical outdoor street market in Galicia (northwest Spain). Nine case patients were hospitalized and analysis of their stool samples revealed the presence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus . The strains isolated from two stool samples were studied for antibiotic susceptibility, biochemical characteristics and presence of virulence factors. Both isolates were Kanagawa phenomenon positive and produced thermostable direct hemolysin, which is related to pathogenicity in humans. These results show the presence of pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus in mollusks harvested in Europe and reveal the risk of illness associated with their consumption, suggesting the revision of V. parahaemolyticus risk assessment associated with consumption of raw live shellfish.