Molecular Detection of Vibrio spp. in Fish and Shrimp from the Persian Gulf

ABSTRACT: Vibrio species are the major seafood-borne bacteria that are frequently associated with the consumption of contaminated sea food. A total of 113 samples including 58 fish and 55 shrimps were studied for the possible contamination with Vibrio species. A biochemical protocol was applied for the identification of the Vibrio isolates and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was carried out to confirm the strains. The results indicated that 25 samples (22%) were contaminated with Vibrio species. Among Vibrio isolates, Vibrio harveyi was the species most frequently isolated (11.5%), followed by followed by V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, V. alginolyticus and V. mimicus. Vibrio cholerae was not detected in the studied samples. The results of this study indicated that fish and shrimp from the Persian Gulf regularly contain pathogens that might affect the public health.