engleski

Vibrio parahaemolyticus detected in bivalve molluscs in Croatian production areas

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a gram- negative bacterium found naturally in marine and estuarine waters worldwide. V. parahaemolyticus is considered an emerging bacterial pathogen in Europe and has been responsible for several seafood- associated outbreaks. Clinical characteristics of infection include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, headaches, fever and chills. Toxigenic V. Parahaemolyticus is considered relatively rare in the natural environment with typically less than 5 % of strains believed to be able to initiate disease in humans. Pathogenic strains produce two recognized virulence factors during pathogenesis, thermostable direct haemolysin (TDH) and TDH- related haemolysin (TRH). We have tested a total of 112 shellfish samples of European oyster (Ostrea edulis), Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and Clam (Venus verrucosa) from 14 production areas. The samples were obtained during July, August and September. Testing was according to ISO/CD 21872 Horizontal method for the detection of potentially enteropathogenic Vibrio spp. A preliminary identification of V. parahaemolyticus was made after biochemical analysis using API20E (Biomerieux, France) after manufacturers specification. Presumptive V. parahaemolyticus strains were subsequently analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using species- specific assay toxR. Of the total of 112 examined samples V. parahaemolyticus was found in 31 samples from 8 production areas ; Stara Povljana bay, Modrič- Seline, Novigrad sea, Dinjiška bay, Krka river estuary, the channel of St. Ante, Kaštelanski bay and Malostonski bay. According to this data prevalence of examined production areas in Croatia is 27, 7%. In Croatia during the 2013. we had 1 toxiinfectio alimentaris outbreak (31 cases) and during 2014. there were no outbreaks according to Croatian National Institute of Public Health. This study data should assist risk managers to develop control strategies to reduce risk of human illness resulting from contamination of bivalve molluscs.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus; shellfish; Adriatic sea; production areas

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