INCIDENCE OF VIBRIOS OF PUBLIC-HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE IN THE FARMING PHASE OF TIGER SHRIMP (PENAEUS-MONODON)

The incidence of some of the human pathogenic vibrios in the cultured tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) was evaluated during the farming phase in practice at a commercial semi-intensive shrimp farm off Uttarakannada, Karnataka (India). Possible sources of these human pathogens were also evaluated. Vibrio alginolyticus was found to be the most common Vibrio member (57% incidence). Vibrio cholelae, V parahemolyticus and V vulnificus were the other species encountered. All these occurred in shrimp pond sediment, pond water and the feed used (clam meat and formulated feed). Vibrio mimicus was encountered only in the clam meat used as a shrimp feed. A poor correlation between the faecal coliform level and the occurrence of these pathogenic vibrios was apparent, implying natural occurrence of these vibrios in the brackishwater/shrimp culture environment.