RELATIONSHIP OF Vibrio parahaemolyticus IN OYSTERS, WATER AND SEDIMENT, AND BACTERIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL INDICES

Of 153 samples of oysters, water and sediment tested 94 (61.4%) were positive for V. parahaemolyticus . In 87% of the positive oyster samples the level of V. parahaemolyticus was < 100 per g. Standard Plate Counts of oysters ranged from 5.0 × 10 3 to > 3.0 × 10 7 (mean 2.5 × 10 6 ) per g, Aerobic Plate Counts from 3.0 × lo 3 to > 3.0 × 10 7 (mean 1.8 × 10 6 ) per g. No seasonal distribution of V. parahaemolyticus was apparent. No statistically significant relationship existed between V. parahaemolyticus count of oysters and bacteriological (Standard Plate Count, Aerobic Plate Count, coliform, fecal coliform and E. coli counts) and environmental parameters (water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved O 2 , sampling depth, tide, wind and rainfall).