The isolation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and related vibrios from moribund aquarium lobsters

Abstract

Vibrios were isolated in pure culture from the hemolymph of 7 out of 28 dead or dying aquarium lobsters which had been acclimated to 20-22 degrees C. One isolate was identified as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, one as a related marine Vibrio (probably V. marinus), and five as Vibrio alginolyticus. No isolates of halophilic Vibrio species were made from healthy lobsters using thiosulfate citrate bile salts sucrose agar (TCBS).

Pathogens, Parasites and Other Symbionts

“…These ubiquitous bacteria form a large part of the natural bacterial flora of invertebrates such as Panulirus argus (Porter et al, 2001). Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio harveyi, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Listonella (Vibrio) anguillarum are opportunistic pathogens that have caused disease in adult lobsters that were stressed, immuno-compromised or injured (Brinkley et al, 1976;Jawahar et al, 1996). Vibrios can be important human pathogens; they can be transmitted to humans from contaminated surfaces and undercooked foods.…”

Synopsis of freshwater crayfish diseases and commensal organisms

“…Studies on other crustacean species suggest that bacteria are not normally present in crustacean hemolymph (Bang, 1970;Lee and Pfeifer, 1975;Johnson, 1976). However, bacteria have been isolated from the hemolymph of apparently healthy spiny lobsters (Brinkley et al, 1976), crabs Welsh and Sizemore, 1985), penaeid shrimp (Lightner, 1977), and other crustacean species (Bang, 1970) as well as from apparently healthy crayfish.…”

Ulcerative enteritis in Homarus americanus: Case report and molecular characterization of intestinal aerobic bacteria of apparently healthy lobsters in live storage

“…Lobster gut bacteria-ABHa2 and ABHa3 were identified as members of the genus Vibrio. This genus has been considered as both normal and pathogenic flora in crustaceans (Stewart and Zwicker, 1972;Brinkley et al, 1976;Lightner, 1996;Tall et al, 2003).…”

“…Vibrio harveyi has been isolated as the cause of luminous vibriosis, an enteric disease of phyllosoma larvae of the packhorse rock lobster, Jasus verreauxi, during experimental culture (Diggles et al, 2000). Vibrio fluvialis-like strains have been implicated as the causative agent of a systemic disease colloquially called, 'limp lobster syndrome' of the American lobster (Brinkley et al, 1976;Tall et al, 2003). Lobster gut bacteria-ABHa2 and ABHa3 are only $94-96% similar to the previously implicated disease causing species, V. fluvialis, V. harveyi, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus.…”

“…Common diseases observed under holding conditions include: vibriosis, caused by mixed Vibrio infections (Brinkley et al, 1976;Tall et al, 2003); gaffkemia, caused by the bacterium Aerococcus viridans var. homari (Rabin, 1965;Stewart et al, 1969;Battison et al, 2004); bumper car disease, caused by the ciliate Anophryoides haemophila (Aiken et al, 1973;Cawthorn et al, 1996;Greenwood et al, 2005); and impoundment shell disease, caused by an assemblage of various chitinolytic bacteria (Hess, 1937;Malloy, 1978).…”