Detection and Molecular Characterization of Vibrio Parahaemolyticus in Shrimp Samples
Background:Food safety has emerged as an important global issue with international trade and public health implications. Bacterial pathogens asVibrio parahaemolyticusrecognized as an important cause of foodborne diseases related to the consumption of raw, undercooked or mishandled seafood worldwide.Methods:A total of 70 individual wild shrimp samples were collected from shrimp retail outlets in Zanjan, Iran and investigated for the presence of potentially pathogenic strains ofV. parahaemolyticus.The shrimp samples were immediately homogenized and cultured on TCBS agarand subjected to confirmatory biochemical tests. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed for detection of total and pathogenicV. parahaemolyticusby amplification ofvp–toxR,tdhandtrhgenes.Results:The conventional method indicated that 16 (22.8%) of samples were positive forV. parahaemolyticus. However, PCR verified that only 12 (17.1%) shrimp samples were positive forV. parahaemolyticus.Of the 70 shrimp samples in our study, only 2 (2.8%)tdhand 1 (1.4%)trhpositive strains were identified.Conclusion:Detection oftdhand/ ortrhpositiveV. parahaemolyticusin shrimp marketed in Zanjan, Iran shows a probable risk for public health. Therefore, the reliable molecular methods for monitoring of potentially pathogenicV. parahaemolyticusare strongly recommended for the routine seafood examination.