Characterization of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from oysters and mussels in São Paulo, Brazil

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2011 Jul-Aug;53(4):201-5. doi: 10.1590/s0036-46652011000400005.

Abstract

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a marine bacterium, responsible for gastroenteritis in humans. Most of the clinical isolates produce thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) and TDH-related hemolysin (TRH) encoded by tdh and trh genes respectively. In this study, twenty-three V. parahaemolyticus, previously isolated from oysters and mussels were analyzed by PCR using specific primers for the 16S rRNA and virulence genes (tdh, trh and tlh) and for resistance to different classes of antibiotics and PFGE. Nineteen isolates were confirmed by PCR as V. parahaemolyticus. The tlh gene was present in 100% of isolates, the tdh gene was identified in two (10.5%) isolates, whereas the gene trh was not detected. Each isolate was resistant to at least one of the nine antimicrobials tested. Additionally, all isolates possessed the blaTEM-116 gene. The presence of this gene in V. parahaemolyticus indicates the possibility of spreading this gene in the environment. Atypical strains of V. parahaemolyticus were also detected in this study.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Brazil
  • Hemolysin Proteins / genetics
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Ostreidae / microbiology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Shellfish / microbiology*
  • Vibrio parahaemolyticus / drug effects
  • Vibrio parahaemolyticus / isolation & purification*
  • Vibrio parahaemolyticus / pathogenicity
  • Virulence Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • Virulence Factors
  • thermostable direct hemolysin-related hemolysin protein, Vibrio parahaemolyticus