Occurrence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Dutch mussels

Abstract

A study was carried out on the occurrence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Dutch mussels originating from the East Schelde Estuary. In a total of 79 10-g tissue samples, 3 (3.8%) were found to contain V. parahaemolyticus. In a second survey, 6 out of 23 bags of mussels (26%) contained one or more strains of V. parahaemolyticus in 5-g tissue samples. The many limitations of current methodology used in such surveys are stressed. Positive samples can be missed because viable cells may die during refrigerated transport. Surviving cells also may not be detected because they have been sublethally stressed. In addition, the unreliability of the identification criterion of no growth in 10% NaCl was demonstrated.

Halophilic Vibrio species from seafish in Senegal

“…Both characteristics were only observed when strains were grown at their optimal temperature and, for H2S production, in a medium containing 3% NaCl. This is in agreement with other authors, who concluded that NaCI tolerance and H,S production depend on various parameters such as temperature, duration of incubation, and nutrient composition of the medium (14,15). Thus, ability to grow in a 10% NaClcontaining broth is not specific enough to reject an identification as V. pairahaernolytisus.…”