运用Real-time quantification PCR方法建立副溶血性弧菌在即食虾中的生长预测模型

运用Real-time quantification PCR（real-time qPCR）方法建立副溶血性弧菌在即食虾中生长预测模型。首先构建质粒标准品,梯度稀释后建立标准曲线,然后用Real-time qPCR方法检测虾中副溶血性弧菌的数量,最后建立37℃下即食虾中副溶血性弧菌生长预测模型,并与传统涂布计数方法进行比较。结果表明,Real-time qPCR方法和传统计数方法均可建立Gmopertz模型、Logistic模型和Richards模型,模型拟合的相关系数R2均在0.9以上。基于Real-timeqPCR方法省时省力、特异性好等优点,用Real-time qPCR方法建立微生物预测模型是未来预测微生物学领域的一种发展趋势。      

运用Real-time quantification PCR方法建立副溶血性弧菌在即食虾中的生长预测模型

运用Real-time quantification PCR(real-time qPCR)方法建立副溶血性弧菌在即食虾中生长预测模型.首先构建质粒标准品,梯度稀释后建立标准曲线,然后用Real-time qPCR方法检测虾中副溶血性弧菌的数量,最后建立37℃下即食虾中副溶血性弧菌生长预测模型,并与传统涂布计数方法进行比较.结果表明,Real-time qPCR方法和传统计数方法均可建立Gmopertz模型、Logistic模型和Richards模型,模型拟合的相关系数R2均在0.9以上.基于Real-time qPCR方法省时省力、特异性好等优点,用Real-time qPCR方法建立微生物预测模型是未来预测微生物学领域的一种发展趋势.     

Real-time PCR von virulenten Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Fisch- und Krebstierprodukten

Pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus strains cause gastroenteritis. Contaminated fi sh products and seafood represent the most important sources of infection. V. parahaemolyticus strains from patients differ from environmental isolates by their production of the haemolysins TDH and TRH that represent their main virulence factors. 710 specimens of fish and crayfish products were examined by an evaluated PCR-/real-time PCR. This detection method of virulent V. parahaemolyticus isolates reduces the working time by one day after a selective enrichment of vibrios with alkaline saline peptone water.

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Zusammenfassung: Pathogene Vibrio parahaemolyticus rufen Gastroenteritis hervor. Die Hauptinfektionsquellen stellen kontaminierte Fischprodukte und Meeresfrüchte dar. V. parahaemolyticus- Patientenisolate unterscheiden sich von Umweltisolaten durch die Anwesenheit der H?molysine TDH und TRH als deren wichtigste Virulenzfaktoren. Evaluierte PCR-/real-time PCR-Verfahren wurden zur Untersuchung von 710 Proben Fisch- und Krebstierprodukte eingesetzt. Nach der Selektivanreicherung von Vibrionen in alkalischem, salinischem Peptonwasser führen die real-time PCR-Verfahren der Gene von TDH und TRH zu einer Ersparnis von mindestens einem Arbeitstag beim Nachweis virulenter V. parahaemolyticus-Isolate.

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Eingegangen: 18. Januar 2007     

高分辨率熔解曲线分析法检测食源性副溶血性弧菌

为建立一种快速鉴定副溶血性弧茵的HRM（高分辨率熔解曲线）real-timePCR法,以toxR为靶基因,结合特异性引物,通过优化反应体系及条件,进行特异性、敏感性及重复性评价,并初步应用于90份送检的鲜活海产品样本的检测。特异性试睑表明,该方法能选择性检测副溶血弧菌,Tm值为76．64±0．57℃;而与创伤弧菌、霍乱弧茵、金黄色葡萄球菌等多种海产品中常见的食源性病原菌没有交叉反应。灵敏度试验表明,该方法最少可检测toxR重组质粒的浓度为3．50×102copies／mL。重复性试验表明,同一样品于试验内及试验问的平均Tm值分别为76．53±0．35℃和76．74±0．52℃,变异系数分别为0．56±0．42％和1．11±0．73％。对90份鲜活海产品样本的检测证实该法可使阳性检出率从国标法的14．44%高至18．89％。本研究所建立的副溶血性弧菌HRMreal-ILrnePCR法具有特异性好、灵敏度高、重复性好的特点,能应用于食品样本的检测,具有很好的研究价值和应用前景。     

Populations of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in retail oysters from Florida using two methods

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a naturally occurring estuarine bacterium that is often associated with gastroenteritis in humans following consumption of raw molluscan shellfish. A number of studies have investigated the environmental distribution of V. parahaemolyticus, but little is known about the levels of this organism during distribution of oysters or at the point of consumption. Duplicate samples of shellstock oysters were collected monthly (September 1997 to May 1998) from the same four restaurants and three wholesale seafood markets in the Gainesville, Fla. area and analyzed for total V. parahaemolyticus densities using two methods: a standard MPN method (BAM-MPN) and a new direct plating procedure (direct-VPAP). Both methods employed an alkaline phosphatase-labeled DNA probe (VPAP) targeting the species-specific thermolabile hemolysin (tlh) gene to confirm suspect colonies as V. parahaemolyticus. The highest monthly geometric mean V. parahaemolyticus density was observed in October of 1997 (approximately 3,000/g) with similarly high values during September and November of 1997. From December 1997 to May 1998 mean densities were generally less than 100/g, falling to approximately 10/g in February and March. A strong correlation (r = 0.78) between the direct-VPAP and BAM-MPN methods for determining V. parahaemolyticus densities in market-level oysters was observed. The direct-VPAP method was more rapid and precise while the BAM-MPN was more sensitive and may better recover stressed cells. The utilization of the VPAP probe for identification of V. parahaemolyticus sharply reduced the labor for either method compared to biochemical identification techniques used in earlier V. parahaemolyticus surveys.     

Bactericidal effects of wine on Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters

The bactericidal effects of wines on Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters were studied to evaluate potential inactivation of V. parahaemolyticus in contaminated oysters by wine consumption. Shucked whole oyster and oyster meat homogenate were inoculated with V. parahaemolyticus and mixed with red or white wine. Survivals of V. parahaemolyticus in inoculated oysters were determined at 7 and 25 degrees C. Populations of V. parahaemolyticus in inoculated whole oysters (5.52 log most probable number [MPN] per g) decreased slightly to 4.90 log MPN/g (a 0.62-log reduction) after 24 h at 7 degrees C but increased to 7.37 log MPN/g over the same period at 25 degrees C. However, the populations in wine-treated whole oysters decreased by >1.7 and >1.9 log MPN/g after 24 h at 7 and 25 degrees C, respectively. Both red and white wines were more effective in inactivating V. parahaemolyticus in oyster meat homogenate than in whole oyster. Populations of V. parahaemolyticus in oyster meat homogenate (7.8 x 10(3) MPN/g) decreased rapidly to nondetectable levels (< 3 MPN/g) after 30 min of mixing with wine at 25 degrees C (a 3.89-log MPN/g reduction). These results suggest that chewing oysters before swallowing when eating raw oysters may result in greater inactivation of V. parahaemolyticus if wine is consumed. More studies are needed to determine the bactericidal effects of wine on V. parahaemolyticus in the complicated stomach environment.     

Growth and survival of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in postharvest American oysters

Oysters at the retail stage of distribution generally contain greater densities of Vibrio parahaemolyticus than do oysters at harvest. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of postharvest storage at 26 and 3 degrees C on the growth and survival of naturally occurring V. parahaemolyticus in shellstock American oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Oysters were collected monthly from May 1998 through April 1999 from Mobile Bay, Alabama, and their V. parahaemolyticus densities were determined after 0, 5, 10, and 24 h of postharvest storage at 26 degrees C. After 24 h of storage at 26 degrees C, oysters were transferred to a refrigerator at 3 degrees C and analyzed 14 to 17 days later. V. parahaemolyticus numbers were determined by a direct plating method involving an alkaline-phosphatase-labeled DNA probe that targets the species-specific thermolabile hemolysin gene (tlh-AP) to identify suspect isolates. From April to December, when water temperatures at harvest were >20 degrees C, the geometric mean harvest density of V. parahaemolyticus was 130 CFU/g. When water temperatures were <20 degrees C, the geometric mean harvest density was 15 CFU/g. After harvest, V. parahaemolyticus multiplied rapidly in live oysters held at 26 degrees C, showing a 50-fold increase (1.7 log CFU/g) at 10 h and a 790-fold increase (2.9 log CFU/g) at 24 h (April through December). Average V. parahaemolyticus numbers showed a sixfold decrease (0.8 log CFU/g) after approximately 14 days of refrigeration. These results indicate that V. parahaemolyticus can grow rapidly in unrefrigerated oysters.     

Conditions for high pressure inactivation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters

The objective of this study was to identify the high pressure processing conditions (pressure level, time, and temperature) needed to achieve a 5-log reduction of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in live oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Ten strains of V. parahaemolyticus were separately tested for their resistances to high pressure. The two most pressure-resistant strains were then used as a cocktail to represent baro-tolerant environmental strains. To evaluate the effect of temperature on pressure inactivation of V. parahaemolyticus, Vibrio-free oyster meats were inoculated with the cocktail of V. parahaemolyticus and incubated at room temperature (approximately 21 degrees C) for 24 h. Oyster meats were then blended and treated at 250 MPa for 5 min, 300 MPa for 2 min, and 350 MPa for 1 min. Pressure treatments were carried out at -2, 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 45 degrees C. Temperatures >/=30 degrees C enhanced pressure inactivation of V. parahaemolyticus. To achieve a 5-log reduction of V. parahaemolyticus in live oysters, pressure treatment needed to be >/=350 MPa for 2 min at temperatures between 1 and 35 degrees C and >/=300 MPa for 2 min at 40 degrees C.     

Inactivation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in oysters by high-hydrostatic pressure and mild heat

Several recent outbreaks associated with oysters have heightened safety concerns of raw shellfish consumptions, with the majority being attributed to Vibrio spp. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of high-hydrostatic pressure (HHP) followed by mild heating on the inactivation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in live oysters. Inoculated oysters were randomly subjected to: a) pressurization at 200–300 MPa for 2 min at 21 °C, b) mild heat treatment at 40, 45 or 50 °C for up to 20 min and c) pressure treatment of 200–300 MPa for 2 min at 21 °C followed by heat treatment at 40–50 °C. Counts of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus were then determined using the most probable number (MPN) method. Pressurization at 200–300 MPa for 2 min resulted in various degrees of inactivation, from 1.2 to >7 log MPN/g reductions. Heat treatment at 40 and 45 °C for 20 min only reduced V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus by 0.7–2.5 log MPN/g while at 50 °C for 15 min achieved >7 log MPN/g reduction. HHP and mild heat had synergistic effects. Combinations such as HHP at 250 MPa for 2 min followed by heat treatment at 45 °C for 15 min and HHP at 200 MPa for 2 min followed by heat treatment at 50 °C for 5 min reduced both V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus to non-detectable levels by the MPN method (<3 MPN/g). HHP at ≥275 MPa for 2 min followed by heat treatment at 45 °C for 20 min and HHP at ≥200 MPa for 2 min followed by heat treatment at 50 °C for 15 min completely eliminated both pathogens in oysters (negative enrichment results). This study demonstrated the efficiency of HHP followed by mild heat treatments on inactivation of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus and could help the industry to establish parameters for processing oysters.     

Development of enhanced selective media for detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters

This study was undertaken to develop enhanced selective media for detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters. Primarily, tryptic soy agar (TSA) was supplemented with 4.5–5% NaCl, 0.1–0.5% oxgall, and/or 1–2% sodium citrate, and adjusted to pH 8–9. A total of 21 Vibrio spp., 24 indicators, and 26 food-borne isolates were streaked on the modified media, followed by 24 h of incubation at 37 °C. While all the indicators and isolates failed to grow on TSA containing 5% NaCl, 0.5% oxgall, and 2% sodium citrate (TSA_OSS1; pH 9), V. parahaemolyticus was culturable on this selective medium. Particularly, the ability of TSA_OSS1 to quantify V. parahaemolyticus in oysters was superior to thiosulphate citrate bile salts sucrose (TCBS) agar. V. parahaemolyticus distinctly produced its white-yellowish, round, and edge-pointed colony on TSA_OSS1. TSAO_SS1 with high selectivity potentials over TCBS may be a promising alternative for detection of V. parahaemolyticus in seafoods or natural reservoirs. Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at (10.1007/s10068-021-00877-0)     

福建省带壳牡蛎中副溶血性弧菌的市场调查

为了解零售带壳牡蛎中副溶血性弧菌(VP)的污染情况，2003年4月～2004年3月每月在福建省福州和厦门两地收集带壳牡蛎，样品共252份，分别来自水产品批发市场(11％)、零售市场(50％)和饭店(39％)。采用Vitek鉴定系统和最可能数(MPN)法进行VP的定性和定量分析。结果显示，带壳牡蛎VP几何平均密度为46MPN，100g，46％的试样VP密度低于30MPN/100g的最低检出限，仅厦门2个试样菌量超过104MPIN/100g。两个地区、不同采样点和不同季节之间试样vP平均密度差别均有显性。厦门试样菌量高于福州；批发市场试样菌量最高；春季试样菌量(93MPN/100g)高于其它季节(约为40MPN/100g)。研究结果可以用于估计生食牡蛎人群VP的暴露量。     

Effect of intertidal exposure on Vibrio parahaemolyticus levels in Pacific Northwest oysters

Interest in Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) increased in the United States following Vp-associated gastroenteritis outbreaks in 1997 and 1998 involving the West Coast and other areas. The present study evaluated multiple aspects of Vp ecology in the Pacific Northwest with three objectives: (i) to determine the effect of low-tide exposure on Vp levels in oysters, (ii) to determine the relationship between total and pathogenic Vp, and (iii) to examine sediments and aquatic fauna as reservoirs for pathogenic Vp. Samples were collected from intertidal reefs along Hood Canal, Wash., in August 2001. Fecal matter from marine mammals and aquatic birds as well as intestinal contents from bottom-dwelling fish were tested. Total and pathogenic Vp levels in all the samples were enumerated with colony hybridization procedures using DNA probes that targeted the thermolabile direct hemolysin (tlh) and thermostable direct hemolysin (tdh) genes, respectively. The mean Vp densities in oysters were four to eight times greater at maximum exposure than at the corresponding first exposure. While tdh-positive Vp counts were generally < or = 10 CFU/g at first exposure, counts as high as 160 CFU/g were found at maximum exposure. Vp concentrations in sediments were not significantly different from those in oysters at maximum exposure. Pathogenic (tdh positive) Vp was detected in 9 of 42 (21%) oyster samples at maximum exposure, in 5 of 19 (26%) sediment samples, but in 0 of 9 excreta samples. These results demonstrate that summer conditions permit the multiplication of Vp in oysters exposed by a receding tide.     

Effects of electrolyzed oxidizing water treatment on reducing Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in raw oysters

Contamination of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in oysters is a food safety concern. This study investigated effects of electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water treatment on reducing V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in laboratory-contaminated oysters. EO water exhibited strong antibacterial activity against V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in pure cultures. Populations of V. parahaemolyticus (8.74 x 10(7) CFU/ml) and V. vulnificus (8.69 x 10(7) CFU/ml) decreased quickly in EO water containing 0.5% NaCl to nondetectable levels (> 6.6 log reductions) within 15 s. Freshly harvested Pacific oysters were inoculated with a five-strain cocktail of V. parahaemolyticus or V. vulnificus at levels of 10(4) and 10(6) most probable number (MPN)/g and treated with EO water (chlorine, 30 ppm; pH 2.82; oxidation-reduction potential, 1131 mV) containing 1% NaCl at room temperature. Reductions of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in oysters were determined at 0 (before treatment), 2, 4, 6, and 8 h of treatment. Holding oysters inoculated with V. parahaemolyticus or V. vulnificus in the EO water containing 1% NaCl for 4 to 6 h resulted in significant (P < 0.05) reductions of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus by 1.13 and 1.05 log MPN/g, respectively. Extended exposure (> 12 h) of oysters in EO water containing high levels of chlorine (> 30 ppm) was found to be detrimental to oysters. EO water could be used as a postharvest treatment to reduce Vibrio contamination in oysters. However, treatment should be limited to 4 to 6 h to avoid death of oysters. Further studies are needed to determine effects of EO water treatment on sensory characteristics of oysters.     

温暖月份零售带壳牡蛎中副溶血性弧菌的定量研究

为了解温暖月份零售带壳牡蛎中副溶血性弧菌 (VP)的污染情况 ,2 0 0 3年 4～ 8月在福建省福州和厦门两地共收集带壳牡蛎 113份 ,样品分别来自水产品批发市场 (18% ) ,零售市场 (4 6 % )和饭店 (36 % )。采用Vitek鉴定系统和最可能数法进行VP的定量分析。结果显示 ,带壳牡蛎中VP密度的几何均数为 6 0MPN 10 0g ,4 1 6 %的样品VP密度低于 30MPN 10 0g的最低检出限 ,仅厦门2个样品菌量超过 2 4 0 0 0MPN 10 0g。两个地区、不同采样点和不同月份之间样品VP密度的几何均数差别均有统计学意义 (P <0 0 1)。厦门样品污染菌量高于福州 ;批发市场样品菌量最高 ;5月份样品菌量最高 ,为 14 9MPN 10 0g ,而 6～ 8月样品菌量约为 4 0MPN 10 0g。零售环节带壳牡蛎VP的检出率较高。未来应加强对生食海产品中VP污染状况的监测。     

副溶血性弧菌和溶藻弧菌的双重PCR检测技术

主要针对副溶血性弧菌(Vp BJ1997)和溶藻弧菌(Va ATCC17749)的gyrB基因的不同位点设计特异性引物,利用双重PCR技术同时检测Vp(BJ1997)和Va(ATCC17749),并对该反应体系的特异性以及灵敏度进行检测。结果显示Vp(BJ1997)灵敏度的检测下限可达2×10~2CFU/mL,Va(ATCC17749)灵敏度的检测下限可达2.03×10~2CFU/mL,双重PCR与单一PCR检测的灵敏度的数量级是相同的;与沙门氏菌(ATCC27892)、金黄色葡萄球菌(ATCC13565)、大肠杆菌(35218)、河弧菌(H265)、鳗弧菌(M936)、创伤弧菌(ATCC27562)无交叉反应;在人工污染试验中,混合菌液的检测下限2.84×10~3CFU/mL,而进一步稀释至2.84×10~2CFU/mL时,Vp(BJ1997)已检测不出,Va(ATCC17749)仍可检出。研究表明,该方法特异性强,灵敏度高,操作简单,成本低,检测速度快,为基层单位同时检测副溶血性弧菌和溶藻弧菌提供了一种快速准确的方法,对控制水产品中这两种致病性弧菌具有重大的意义。     

三重real-time PCR检测副溶血弧菌主要毒力基因

针对编码副溶血弧菌的特异性基因和主要毒力基因tlh、tdh、ureR进行引物及探针设计,通过优化反应条件,建立基于Taqman探针快速检测副溶血弧菌毒力基因的三重实时聚合酶链式反应（real-time polymerase chain reaction,real-time PCR）方法。利用10 株副溶血弧菌和22 株非副溶血弧菌对设计的引物及探针进行特异性验证,结果表明设计的引物及探针具有很高的特异性;优化后的引物浓度分别为tdh 0.15 μmol/L、tlh 0.15 μmol/L、ureR 0.80 μmol/L,探针浓度分别为HEX 0.50 μmol/L、FAM 0.50 μmol/L;该方法即使在高浓度的背景细菌存在下,DNA浓度与Ct值均呈良好的线性关系,检出限为1.8×102 拷贝/mL;以完整菌细胞的悬液为模板时,预变性时间为30 min,扩增检测效果与以基因组DNA（gDNA）为模板相当（ΔCt＜1）。本研究建立的三重real-time PCR方法能实现快速定量检测副溶血弧菌,并能有效区分致病性及非致病性副溶血弧菌,为副溶血弧菌的快速定量检测和风险评估提供快速、灵敏、准确的方法。     

A survey of oysters (Crassostrea gigas) in New Zealand for Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus

A microbiological survey was conducted to determine the levels of total and pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) and Vibrio vulnificus (Vv) in Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) collected from commercial growing areas in the North Island, New Zealand.The survey was intended to be geographically representative of commercial growing areas of Pacific oysters in New Zealand, while selecting the time frame most likely to coincide with the increased abundance of pathogenic vibrio species. Vp was detected in 94.8% of oyster samples examined (n = 58) with a geometric mean concentration of 99.3 MPN/g, while Vv was detected in 17.2% of oyster samples examined with a geometric mean concentration of 7.4 MPN/g. The frequency of Vp positive samples was 1.7 fold greater than reported in a study conducted three decades ago in New Zealand. Potentially virulent (tdh positive) Vp was detected in two samples (3.4%, n = 58) while no trh (another virulence marker) positive samples were detected. 16 S rRNA genotype could be assigned only to 58.8% of Vv isolates (8:1:1 A:B:AB ratio, n = 10). There was a good agreement [98.2% of Vp (n = 280) and 94.4% of Vv (n = 18) isolates] between molecular tests and cultivation based techniques used to identify Vibrio isolates and there was a significant (R² = 0.95, P < 0.001, n = 18) linear relationship between the MPN estimates by real-time PCR and cultivation. There was no significant correlation between any of the environmental parameters tested and Vp or Vv concentrations.     

巢式PCR快速检测海产品中的副溶血弧菌

副溶血弧菌是一种世界范围性的食源性致病菌,食用了该菌污染的海产品可导致胃肠炎等疾病。为了建立一种可快速、特异地检测海产品中副溶血弧菌的方法,通过把副溶血弧菌基因组序列和其它不同种类弧菌的基因组序列进行比较分析,筛选出了一个副溶血弧菌特异性的标记基因-VP1331,根据该基因建立了副溶血弧菌的巢式PCR快速检测方法,并评估了其特异性、敏感性和稳定性。实验结果表明,该方法只有在以副溶血弧菌基因组DNA为模板时才能扩增出目的片段,而其它11种弧菌和非弧菌均不能扩增出目的片段。该方法的最低检测限为副溶血弧菌基因组DNA 10 fg、纯培养物6.6 CFU。人工污染实验表明,初始菌液浓度为25.7 CFU/100 mL时只需经过2 h的增菌培养即可检出。上述结果表明,VP1331基因可以作为副溶血弧菌种特异性标记,本方法可以用于污染海产品中该菌的检测与鉴定。     

食品中副溶血性弧菌PCR快速检测方法的研究

为建立食品中副溶血性弧菌 (VP)的PCR检测方法 ,选取tl基因作为靶序列设计一对引物 ,用该引物对 14株从国内食品中分离的副溶血性弧菌 (经传统方法验证 )和 30株非副溶血性弧菌进行PCR扩增 ,并用此方法对人工污染食品进行检测。扩增片段表现出极好的特异性 ,对人工污染的冷冻虾仁、沙丁鱼的检出限为 10CFU g ,且与传统方法结果吻合。该方法适宜于食品中副溶血性弧菌的检测。     

Seasonal distribution of total and pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Chesapeake Bay oysters and waters

The objectives of this study were to investigate the seasonal distribution of total and pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the Chesapeake Bay oysters and waters, and to determine the degree of association between V. parahaemolyticus densities and selected environmental parameters. Oyster and water samples were collected monthly from three sites in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland from November 2004 through October 2005. During collection of samples, water temperature, salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH, chlorophyll a, and fecal coliform levels in oysters were also determined. V. parahaemolyticus levels were enumerated by a quantitative direct-plating method followed by DNA colony hybridization; presence/absence was further determined by overnight broth enrichment followed by either standard colony isolation or real-time PCR. The thermolabile hemolysin (tlh) gene and thermostable direct hemolysin (tdh) gene were targeted for detection of total and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus, respectively, for both direct plating and enrichment. The thermostable related hemolysin (trh) gene, which is a presumptive pathogenicity marker, was targeted only for the enrichment approach. By direct plating, colonies producing tlh signals were detected in 79% of oyster samples at densities ranging from 1.5x10(1) to 6.0x10(2) CFU/g. Pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus (tdh+) was detected in 3% (level was 10 CFU/g) of oyster samples while no V. parahaemolyticus was detected in water samples. By the enrichment approach with standard colony isolation, 67% of oyster and 55% of water samples (n=33) were positive for total V. parahaemolyticus, and all samples were negative for pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus. In contrast, enrichment followed by real-time PCR detected tlh, tdh and trh in 100%, 20% and 40% of oyster and 100%, 13% and 40% of water enrichments collected from June to October 2005, respectively. V. parahaemolyticus densities in oysters varied seasonally and were found to be positively correlated with water temperature, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen.