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Occurrence of Vibrio vulnificus in mussel farms from the Varano lagoon environment
Author(s) -
Beneduce L.,
Vernile A.,
Spano G.,
Massa S.,
Lamacchia F.,
Oliver J.D.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2010.02917.x
Subject(s) - vibrio vulnificus , mussel , biology , shellfish , salinity , ecology , fishery , aquatic animal , fish <actinopterygii> , bacteria , genetics
Abtract 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.