Characterization of Vibrio Alginolyticus Trh Positive From Mediterranean Environment of Tamouda Bay (Morocco)

Vibrio alginolyticus is a halophilic Vibrio and is considered the most frequent species living freely in water and sediment and can survive in seawater even under starvation conditions while maintaining its viru lence. Our objective in this study is to investigate the existence of virulence genes in Vibrio alginolyticus in Tamouda bay (Morocco). A total of 588 samples were co llected during the study and analyzed. The study of cultural biochemical and molecu lar characteristics of strains showed an incidence of 70.2% of Vibrio alginolyticus. Among 412 strains of Vibrio alginolyticus identified eleven (2.7%) were urease and Kanagawa Pheno menon (KP) positive. To study the presence of the gene for viru lence genes in ten strains of Vibrio alginolyticus urease positive and KP positive, we used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results revealed that 70% of the strains have the trh gene (250 bp) but all strains are tdh negative. This is the first report who dem- onstrated the presence of V. alginolyticus KP positive and trh gene in Morocco. These findings indicate the potential sanitary risk associated with the presence of Vibrio alginolyticus KP positive and the imp licat ions of the trh gene in plan kton, sedi- ment, sea water and shellfish as a pathogen of food poisonning.