Detection of Arcobacter spp. in Mytilus galloprovincialis samples collected from Apulia region

The aim of the study was to evaluate the
occurrence of Arcobacter spp. in 20 samples of
Mytilus galloprovincialis purchased at fish
markets in Apulia region. The detection of
Arcobacter spp. was performed, after selective
enrichment, on modified charcoal cefoperazone
deoxycholate (mCCD) agar supplemented
with Cefoperazone, Amphotericin B and
Teicoplanin (CAT). In 6 out of the 20 tested
samples the presence of Arcobacter spp. was
found and confirmed by genus-based polymerase
chain reaction. All the isolates were
identified as belonging to the species
Arcobacter butzleri using 16S rDNA sequencing
and BLAST online. The results represent
the first report in Italy of A. butzleri detection
in marketed Mytilus galloprovincialis. The survey
underlines the epidemiological importance
of A. butzleri as an emerging pathogen, and
highlights that mussels should be considered
as a potential cause of foodborne disease outbreak.