Indagine sulla prevalenza di Vibrio spp. potenzialmente patogeni in prodotti ittici in Sicilia: nuovi dati

The aim of this study was to value the prevalence of enteropathogenic Vibrio spp. in fish products, collected in the last two years. A total of 100 samples (75 bivalve molluscs, 6 shrimps, 12 teleosts and 7 cephalopods) were analysed according to the ISO 21872-1:2017. Vibrio strains were characterised by molecular analysis (PCR). Enteropathogenic Vibrio spp were isolated in the 11% of fish products, particularly in shellfish. V. parahaemolyticus was identified in 4/75 (5.3%) and in 2/12 (16.7%) samples of bivalve molluscs from production areas and teleosts respectively. The isolates of V. parahaemolyticus were tested by PCR for the presence of specie- specific gene (toxR) and for the tdh and trh genes: 1 sample of teleosts (Sardina pilchardus) had the trh gene. V. vulnificus was isolated in 5/75 (6.7%) samples of bivalve molluscs (only in oysters). This is the first report of V. vulnificus identification in bivalve molluscs in our area.