title: Nontuberculous mycobacteria in freshwater fish and fish products intended for human consumption.
abstract: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are potentially pathogenic agents commonly found in natural ecosystems, while food is considered to be another source of NTM for humans. We investigated a total of 92 tissue samples of freshwater fish and fish products: fish directly obtained from ponds (n=25), retail fresh (n=23) and frozen fish (n=23) and smoked fish products (n=21). Culture examination for the presence of mycobacteria was positive in 11 (11.9%) from all the examined samples. The 15 obtained isolates were identified as Mycobacterium fortuitum (n=5), M. immunogenum (n=2), M. phocaicum/ mucogenicum (n=1), M. neoaurum (n=2), M. peregrinum (n=2), M. porcinum (n=1) and M. senegalense/houstonense/conceptionense (n=2). NTM DNA was found in one (4.0%) sample of fresh fish from ponds and in 60.9% and 91.3% of retail fresh and frozen fish, respectively. None of the smoked fish products contained NTM DNA. The results of our study suggest that freshwater fish and fish products, especially retail frozen fish, might be a reservoir of NTM for humans, and proper handling and treatment before consumption of such products is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Feed Safety, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Alena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lorencova
authors.forename: Barbora
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Klanicova
authors.forename: Jitka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Makovcova
authors.forename: Iva
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Slana
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vojkovska
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Babak
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pavlik
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Slany
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018153:Czech Republic; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D005396:Fish Products / Q000032:analysis / Q000191:economics / Q000382:microbiology*; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D057141:Food, Preserved / Q000032:analysis / Q000191:economics / Q000382:microbiology; D005618:Fresh Water; D005628:Frozen Foods / Q000032:analysis / Q000191:economics / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D058889:Molecular Typing; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D019907:Mycobacterium fortuitum / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D017747:Seafood / Q000032:analysis / Q000191:economics / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D004247:DNA