Presence and characterization of the human pathogenic Vibrio species in the microbiota of Manila clams using cultural and molecular methods.

The North Adriatic lagoons and the Po River Delta are important areas for farming Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum). These areas have been heavily impacted by climate change, reducing livestock numbers and increasing pathogen spread. Shellfish, particularly clams, are primary vectors for Vibrio pathogens affecting humans.

Combining Culture-Dependent and Culture-Independent Methods: New Methodology Insight on the Community of .

Vibrios represent a natural contaminant of seafood products. , , and are the most hazardous species to human health. Given the worldwide consumption of mollusc products, reliable detection of species is recommended to prevent human vibriosis.

Depuration processes affect the Vibrio community in the microbiota of the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum.

As filter-feeders, bivalve molluscs accumulate Vibrio into edible tissues. Consequently, an accurate assessment of depuration procedures and the characterization of the persistent Vibrio community in depurated shellfish represent a key issue to guarantee food safety in shellfish products. The present study investigated changes in the natural Vibrio community composition of the Ruditapes philippinarum microbiota with specific focus on human pathogenic species.

Host-microbiota interactions shed light on mortality events in the striped venus clam Chamelea gallina.

Mass mortalities due to disease outbreaks have recently affected a number of major taxa in marine ecosystems. Climate- and pollution-induced stress may compromise host immune defenses, increasing the risk of opportunistic diseases. Despite growing evidence that mass mortality events affecting marine species worldwide are strongly influenced by the interplay of numerous environmental factors, the reductionist approaches most frequently used to investigate these factors hindered the interpretation of these multifactorial pathologies.