title: Occurrence of potentially pathogenic arcobacters in shellfish.
abstract: Considering that several recent cases of human gastroenteritis have been associated with species from the Arcobacter genus, and that few data are currently available about the occurrence of this genus in Italian shellfish, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of Arcobacter spp. and the presence of virulence-associated genes. The approach consisted of cultural and biomolecular (multiplex-PCR and 16S-RFLP) methods identifying isolates, followed by PCR assays aimed at the cadF, ciaB, cjl349, irgA, hecA putative virulence genes. Arcobacter spp. was detected in 16/70 (22.8%) shellfish samples. Specifically, Arcobacter spp. was highlighted in 10/42 (23.8%) mussel and in 6/28 (21.4%) clam samples. Subsequently, biomolecular assays revealed Arcobacter butzleri in 12/16 (75%) and Arcobacter cryaerophilus 1B in 4/16 (25%) isolates. PCRs aimed at the five putative virulence genes demonstrated widespread distribution of these genes among Arcobacter isolates and some differences from the results published by other authors. Our research provides more information regarding the health risks associated with the consumption of raw bivalve molluscs and underlines the need to implement an adequate control plan by performing intensive and continuous monitoring in order to guarantee human health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy. Electronic address: anna.mottola@uniba.it.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mottola
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonerba
authors.affiliation: Unitat de Microbiologia, Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Figueras
authors.affiliation: Unitat de Microbiologia, Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain.
authors.forename: Alba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pérez-Cataluña
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marchetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serraino
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bozzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Terio
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tantillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Pinto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020640:Arcobacter / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000382:microbiology*; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012758:Shellfish / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins
keywords: Arcobacter; Bivalve molluscs; Food-borne pathogen; Putative virulence factors