Occurrence and antimicrobial drug resistance of potential bacterial pathogens from shellfish, including

Abstract The trade of mollusks and other shellfish play a significant role in the economy of Grenada. The objective of this study was to gather information on the presence of potential human pathogens in clams, oysters, queen conchs, and whelks (West Indian top shell), and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the bacterial isolates. A total of 110 shellfish consisting of 40 clams, 30 oysters, 20 queen conchs, and 20 whelks, was obtained from three different bays along Grenada's coast and examined for bacterial pathogens by culture of whole soft tissue, intestines, feces, and/or meat. Selective media, including thiosulfate-citrate-bile-sucrose agar, were used with the aim to isolate various bacteria, particularly the members of the Vibrionaceae family. The isolates obtained were identified based on phenotypic properties, including reactions obtained with the API bacterial identification strips. Of 59 isolates, 35 were identified with >80% probability, with the most prevalent being Vibrio alginolyticus (8), followed by Shewenella putrefaciens (6), an