ABSTRACT: This work reports on the phenotypic and serological characterization of Vibrioanguillarum related (VAR) organisms isolated from diseased fish, shellfish, and from the environment in different geographical areas. Reference strains of V.anguillarum (serotypes O1 to O10) and V.[sgl dagger]splendidus (biotype I) were included for comparison. On the basis of numerical taxonomy analysis the strains were grouped in 4 phena, with similarity levels among them ranging from 77.6 to 86.8% and levels of internal similarity ranging from 84.1 to 86.8%. The serological analysis demonstrated that 22 of 45 (49%) VAR strains were typeable, being distributed into 7 O-serogroups (A, B, C, D, E, F, G). Six of these serogroups (A, B, C, D, F, and G) were recognized among 21 VAR strains isolated from diseased fish. Serotypes C and F were the predominant types among strains isolated from diseased turbot and cod, respectively. No dominating environmental serotype was found. Moreover, it was found that only serogroup F constituted a heterogeneous group with regard to phenotypic and serological characteristics.

KEY WORDS: Vibrioanguillarum related organisms . O-Serotyping . Fish . Shellfish . Environment

Published in DAO Vol. 26, No. 1 (1996) on July 18
ISSN: 0177-5103. Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 1996