Potential pathogenic Vibrios from Kuwait Marine Environment

Abstract

The genus Vibrio contains more than 100 species where some are pathogenic causing diseases to human and animals. This study investigated the presence of pathogenic Vibrio spp. including V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulinificus in Kuwait marine environments. Water, sediments and gravel samples were collected seasonally from Bay (i.e. Shuwaikh beach) and non-bay (i.e. Al-Bedaa beach) stations between December 2015-February 2017. Bacteria isolated from the samples were identified using partial 16S rRNA sequencing method. The results showed the presence of variety of Vibrio species in each season and site. Nineteenth species were identified during the study. They include V. rarus, V. gigantis, V. crassostreae, V. comitans, V. cyclitrophicus, V. hangzhouensis, V. fortis, V. antiquarius, V. mediterranei, V. chagasii, V. diabolicus, V. alginolyticus, V. tubiashii, V. neocaledonicus, V. antiquaries, V. astriarenae, V. parahaemolyticus, V. galatheae, and V. pelagius. Furthermore, the results showed spatial and temporal variations in the abundance and diversity of vibrios