AUTHOR=Kokashvili Tamar , Whitehouse Chris A. , Tskhvediani Ana , Grim Christopher J. , Elbakidze Tinatin , Mitaishvili Nino , Janelidze Nino , Jaiani Ekaterine , Haley Bradd J. , Lashkhi Nino , Huq Anwar , Colwell Rita R. , Tediashvili Marina 

TITLE=Occurrence and Diversity of Clinically Important Vibrio Species in the Aquatic Environment of Georgia

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=3

YEAR=2015

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2015.00232

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2015.00232

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<p>Among the more than 70 different <italic>Vibrio</italic> species inhabiting marine, estuarine, and freshwater ecosystems, 12 are recognized as human pathogens. The warm subtropical climate of the Black Sea coastal area and inland regions of Georgia likely provides a favorable environment for various <italic>Vibrio</italic> species. From 2006 to 2009, the abundance, ecology, and diversity of clinically important <italic>Vibrio</italic> species were studied in different locations in Georgia and across seasons. Over a 33-month period, 1,595 presumptive <italic>Vibrio</italic> isolates were collected from the Black Sea (<italic>n</italic> = 657) and freshwater lakes around Tbilisi (<italic>n</italic> = 938). Screening of a subset of 440 concentrated and enriched water samples by PCR-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (PCR-ESI/MS) detected the presence of DNA from eight clinically important <italic>Vibrio</italic> species: <italic>V. cholerae</italic>, <italic>V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, V. mimicus, V. alginolyticus, V. harveyi, V. metschnikovii</italic>, and <italic>V. cincinnatiensis</italic>. Almost 90% of PCR/ESI-MS samples positive for <italic>Vibrio species</italic> were collected from June through November. Three important human-pathogenic <italic>Vibrio</italic> species (<italic>V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus</italic>, and <italic>V. vulnificus</italic>) were detected in 62.8, 37.8, and 21.4% of samples testing positive for <italic>Vibrios</italic>, respectively. The results of these activities suggest that natural reservoirs for human-pathogenic <italic>Vibrios</italic> exist in Georgian aquatic environments. Water temperature at all sampling sites was positively correlated with the abundance of clinically important <italic>Vibrio</italic> spp. (except <italic>V. metschnikovii</italic>), and salinity was correlated with species composition at particular Black Sea sites as well as inland reservoirs.</p>