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Isolation and characterization of Vibrio parahaemolyticus from seafoods along the southwest coast of India

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Abstract

The work was aimed to study the microbial quality of the seafood sold in the domestic markets and incidence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Samples comprising of shellfish, finfish, and cephalopods were collected from various fish markets in and around Cochin. Presumed V. parahaemolyticus were identified by standard biochemical tests, and further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction targeting species-specific tl gene (450 bp). About 81% of the samples were found to exceed the limits specified for total plate count while total presumptive V. parahaemolyticus count was above the limit in 71% of the samples ranging from 5.5 × 105 to 9.7 × 107 and 0.31 × 102 to 7.8 × 106 cfu/g, respectively. Pathogenicity of the identified isolates was confirmed by Kanagawa phenomenon and urease activity. A total of 10% of the isolates exhibited weak haemolysis on Wagatsuma agar, and 1% of the isolates showed urease activity using Christensen’s urea agar. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis revealed two major clusters based on the species rather than seasonality. The gel pattern revealed 8–10 bands ranging from 0.45 to 3.0 kb. Antibiogram results revealed 85% of the strains sensitive to chloramphenicol and nitrofurantoin. Multiple antibiotic resistance index was found to be 0.4 thus suggesting the risk potential involved in consuming seafoods. The present study has clearly demonstrated the need to adopt seafood safety measures for the products meant for human consumption.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Dr. K. Devadasan, Director, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin and Prof. (Dr.) Mohan Joseph Modayil, Director, Central Marine Fisheries Resarch Institute for providing necessary facilities and encouragement for carrying out the study. The guidance and support rendered by Dr. Nirmala Thampuran, Head of the Mircrobiology Fermentation Biotechnology Division, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin, to carry out this work is gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Rekha D. Chakraborty

    Present address: Division of Crustacean Fisheries, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Ernakulam North P. O, P. B. No. 1603, Cochin, Kerala, 682018, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbiology Fermentation and Biotechnology Division, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Matsyapuri, Cochin, Kerala, India

    Rekha D. Chakraborty, P. K. Surendran & Toms C. Joseph

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  1. Rekha D. Chakraborty
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  3. Toms C. Joseph
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Correspondence to Rekha D. Chakraborty.

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Chakraborty, R.D., Surendran, P.K. & Joseph, T.C. Isolation and characterization of Vibrio parahaemolyticus from seafoods along the southwest coast of India. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 24, 2045–2054 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-008-9708-4

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