Occurrence of Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria in Commercially Sold Seafood from Misamis Occidental, Philippines

Seafood is a nutritious food that is an enviable component of a healthy diet. Nevertheless, there are health risks associated with the consumption of seafood.

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of potentially pathogenic Vibrio spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp. in 200 seafood samples purchased from several retail outlets in Ozamiz City, Philippines. Different samples analyzed using standard microbiological techniques were clam, shrimp, squid, and fish (anchovy and oil sardines). The Vibrio species identified and isolated were V. parahaemolyticus (47%), V. cholerae (16%) and V. alginolyticus (9%). Thirty percent (30%) of the samples analyzed were positive for S. aureus and 9% of the samples were contaminated with Salmonella sp. The total aerobic plate count mean log10 cfu/g of clams, shrimps, head/gills, intestine of fish (oil sardine, anchovy), and squids were considered as medium to high risk of transmitting pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, the clams and head/gills of oil sardines were considered to be at medium to high risk of transmitting pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus. The findings revealed that seafood samples analyzed microbiologically were loaded with potentially pathogenic bacteria. This result is of public health concern because these organisms are documented as causes of food-borne diseases.