Serological and molecular identification of Escherichia coli (STEC) and shigatoxigênica enteropatogênica (EPEC) in farmed fish

• Grant number: 12/09305-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2012
• End date: June 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Antonio de Avila
• Grantee: Fernanda Erroi de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The expansion of the aquiculture and the increase in fish meat consumption make research in this area, especially if related to the health and public health, a trend and world-wide necessity. Although Escherichia coli is not a natural microrganism of the intestinal tract of fish, it is known that the microflora of these animals is directly linked to the quality of water in which they live. Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) and enteropathogenic (EPEC) are pathogens of public health importance in the potential transmission of enteric diseases to humans and the possible emergence of multiresistant isolates. Based on this, this project aims to detect by PCR, STEC and EPEC strains, and to characterize virulence genes isolated from the intestinal contents and muscle of fish, and water from fish farms in which they are created. (AU)