Potentially Pathogenic Vibrio spp. in Market Seafood and Natural Habitats from Southern New England and Florida

Abstract

Potentially pathogenic vibrios were sought in a total of 381 samples of finfish and shellfish collected from natural habitats and retail outlets in southern New England (NE) and west central Florida (FL). The overall percent of samples yielding Vibrio spp. was as follows: NE (environment 73%, fish market 58%, supermarket 36%); FL (environment 94%, fish market 77%, supermarket 60%). In all cases, the recovery of vibrios from molluscan shellfish obtained from retail sources was significantly greater during the period June to October than during November to May. Vibrio alginolyticus and V. parahaemolyticus were the most frequently isolated species although V. fluvialis, V. dam-sela, V. choterae and V. vulnificus were recovered also. The results indicate that potentially dangerous vibrios are common in seafood products at the retail level in both NE and FL.