plSSN : 0374-8111 | elSSN : 2287-8815
plSSN : 0374-8111 | elSSN : 2287-8815
plSSN : 0374-8111elSSN : 2287-8815
Distribution of Pathogenic Vibrio spp. in Seawater of the Geum River Estuary Area, West Coast of Korea
박선아·박권삼*
군산대학교 식품생명공학과
The pathogenic Vibrio genus denotes halophilic bacteria that are distributed in aquatic environments, including both sea and freshwater. V. cholerae, V. vulnificus, and V. parahaemolyticus are the main species that can be potent human pathogens and the leading cause of septicemia, wound infections, and seafood borne gastroenteritis. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of pathogenic Vibrios in seawater. We obtained a total of 80 seawater samples from the Geum River estuary area in the west coast of Korea from April to December 2021. Pathogenic Vibrios was determined using a combination of the most probable number-polymerase chain reaction (MPN-PCR) methods. The detection levels of V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus in the seawater samples were 7.5%, 68.8%, and 30.0%, respectively. The quantitative results were as follows: 3.6-3.6 MPN/100 mL in V. cholerae, 3.6-3,400 MPN/100 mL in V. parahaemolyticus, and 3.6-4,300 MPN/100 mL in V. vulnificus. Overall, these results provide novel insight into the necessity for seawater sanitation in the Geum River estuary area, and could help reduce the risk of seafood-borne outbreaks caused by pathogenic Vibrios.
MPN-PCR assay, Pathogenic Vibrios, V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus