OCCURRENCE OF VIBRIO PARAHAEMOLYTICUS IN DIFFERENT FINFISH AND SHELLFISH SPECIES

Abstract

ABSTRACT Occurrence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus was examined in 293 samples of finfish and Penaeus monodon from wholesale fish markets in Kolkata, India, by standard culture technique. The bacterium was isolated from 45.83% of shellfish and 16.73% of finfish samples. Among finfishes, about 30% of Chela laubuca and Otolithoides biauritus, and 18–21% of Lates calcarifer, Ompok bimaculatus and Herpadon nehereus samples were contaminated. The bacterium was mostly recovered from intestinal contents (32.25%) as compared to skin (11.95%) and gill tissue (16.43%). Seasonal variation in occurrence of the bacterium was also recorded. The occurrence was slightly more in seafishes (21.74%) as compared to estuarine (16.04%) and freshwater fishes (13.83%), and in demersal fish species (19.35%) posing health risk to the consumers.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS / SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDYAlthough seafoods, especially molluscan shellfishes, are known to carry Vibrio parahaemolyticus and are common sources of human infection, presence of the bacterium in finfishes is less documented. We have examined presence of V. parahaemolyticus in 20 finfish and shellfish species in India. Relative occurrences of the bacterium in finfishes from different habitats (sea, estuarine and freshwater) and in pelagic/benthopelagic or demersal fish species give new insights about distribution of the bacterium in nature. Data on unequal distribution of the pathogen in different fish and shellfish species will be helpful to the food industry, as well as the fish‐eating community, ensuring fish food safety.