Detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus From Marine Crabs in and Around Puducherry and Its Public Health Significances

Abstract

ABSTRACT Food borne illnesses have major social and economic impacts. The WHO estimates that worldwide food borne and waterborne diarrheal diseases together kill about 2.2 million people annually and in India around 6 per cent of the population. Vibrio parahaemolyticus has recently been recognized as one of the most important food borne pathogens as the leading causal agent of human acute gastro enteritis. This study was conducted to detect the presence of V. parahaemolyuticus from marine crabs sold in puducherry and human stool samples and was isolated as per the standard procedure. A total of 35 marine crab samples and 50 human stool samples were screened for presence of V. parahaemolyticus. Out of 35 samples, 14 samples (40 per cent) and out of 50 stool specimens, only 2 (4 per cent) were positive for V. parahaemolyticus by conventional methods. This isolates were further subjected to PCR. Out of 18 isolates, 14 isolates (87.5 per cent) from crabs and 100 per cent from stool specimens of V. parahaemolyticus were confirmed and subjected to biofilm production assay by CRA plate method. In that 14 isolates, 9 were positive for biofilm production and none of the isolates from human stool samples were positive for biofilm production. The antibiotic resistance profiling of the V. parahaemolyticus isolates does not show high resistance. This can be a major concern as microorganisms can be associated with chronic and recurrent human infections. This study clearly indicates the need for proper handling and processing of seafood especially in marine crabs. It is also important that in kitchen when ever seafood is prepare, care shall be taken to avoid cross contamination.