Prevalence of bacteria of public health significance in the cultured shrimp (Penaeus monodon)

The prevalence of some human pathogenic bacteria, namely Salmonella, Vibrio spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, in shrimps under different stages of farming operations was determined by using standard methods. Salmonella and Vibrio were present in ail samples analysed. Listeria spp. was absent from all the samples except clam meat analysed during the farming phase and sediment and shrimps at harvest. A poor correlation was observed between the level of indicator organisms (coliforms) and the incidence of these pathogens, indicating that these pathogens are a part of the natural microfauna of the shrimp culture environment. (C) 1998 Academic Press.