Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a halophilic microbial pathogen that inhabits coastal marine water and often is detected in warm climatic conditions. Since V. parahaemolyticus can cause food poisoning as well as skin infections, it has health implications in both coastal food safety and recreational water quality. In this study, we aimed to detect and quantify V. parahaemolyticus and compare with those of typical fecal pathogens (Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria monocytogenes) and fecal indicator bacteria (FIB: E. coli and enterococci). V. parahaemolyticus was detected in 10/15 of water samples and 6/15 of sediment samples from the Ala Wai Canal, while no other fecal pathogens were detected. The occurrence/abundance of V. parahaemolyticus showed no apparent correlation with FIB concentrations. To further assess the health risks imposed by V. parahaemolyticus, 156 isolates have been obtained from the Ala Wai Canal water samples, and will be used in subsequent experiments: (1) the isolates will be subject to DNA fingerprinting to determine the phylogenetic diversity of its population, (2) PCR detection of virulence genes, and (3) determination of antibiotic resistance patterns and genetic determinants.

Phylogenetic diversity, virulence genes, and antibiotic resistance of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in a tropical urban marine estuary in Hawaii

2019 Fall National Meeting

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