@article{mbs:/content/journal/mgen/10.1099/mgen.0.000647, author = "Janecko, Nicol and Bloomfield, Samuel J. and Palau, Raphaëlle and Mather, Alison E.", title = "Whole genome sequencing reveals great diversity of Vibrio spp in prawns at retail", journal= "Microbial Genomics", year = "2021", volume = "7", number = "9", pages = "", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/mgen.0.000647", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/mgen/10.1099/mgen.0.000647", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "2057-5858", type = "Journal Article", keywords = "whole-genome sequencing", keywords = "food safety", keywords = "comparative genomics", keywords = "Vibrio", eid = "000647", abstract = "Consumption of prawns as a protein source has been on the rise worldwide with seafood identified as the predominant attributable source of human vibriosis. However, surveillance of non-cholera Vibrio is limited both in public health and in food. Using a population- and market share-weighted study design, 211 prawn samples were collected and cultured for Vibrio spp. Contamination was detected in 46 % of samples, and multiple diverse Vibrio isolates were obtained from 34 % of positive samples. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and phylogenetic analysis illustrated a comprehensive view of Vibrio species diversity in prawns available at retail, with no known pathogenicity markers identified in Vibrio parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae . Antimicrobial resistance genes were found in 77 % of isolates, and 12 % carried genes conferring resistance to three or more drug classes. Resistance genes were found predominantly in V. parahaemolyticus , though multiple resistance genes were also identified in V. cholerae and V. vulnificus . This study highlights the large diversity in Vibrio derived from prawns at retail, even within a single sample. Although there was little evidence in this study that prawns are a major source of vibriosis in the UK, surveillance of non-cholera Vibrio is very limited. This study illustrates the value of expanding WGS surveillance efforts of non-cholera Vibrios in the food chain to identify critical control points for food safety through the production system and to determine the full extent of the public health impact.", }