Antibiotic Resistance and Characteristics of <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i> Isolated from Seafood Distributed in South Korea from 2021 to 2022

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and virulence characteristics of <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i> (<i>V. parahaemolyticus</i>) isolated from olive flounder (<i>Paralichthys olivaceus</i>) and rockfish (<i>Sebaste...

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Main Authors: Jonghoon Lee, Hansol Kim, Haiseong Kang, Yongchjun Park, Insun Joo, Hyochin Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1566
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author Jonghoon Lee
Hansol Kim
Haiseong Kang
Yongchjun Park
Insun Joo
Hyochin Kim
author_facet Jonghoon Lee
Hansol Kim
Haiseong Kang
Yongchjun Park
Insun Joo
Hyochin Kim
author_sort Jonghoon Lee
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and virulence characteristics of <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i> (<i>V. parahaemolyticus</i>) isolated from olive flounder (<i>Paralichthys olivaceus</i>) and rockfish (<i>Sebastes schlegelii</i>) sashimi samples sold in South Korea from 2021 to 2022. A total of 500 fish samples were analyzed, from which 17 <i>V. parahaemolyticus</i> isolates were obtained. Antibiotic susceptibility testing using the minimum inhibitory concentration method revealed that 58.8% (10/17) of the isolates exhibited resistance to ampicillin, indicating the potential for AMR transmission in seafood-associated pathogens. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and a polymerase chain reaction detected the presence of <i>tlh</i> and <i>trh</i> virulence genes in all isolates, suggesting their pathogenic potential. Although the overall isolation rate of <i>V. parahaemolyticus</i> was low, the presence of virulence and AMR genes indicates public health relevance associated with raw seafood consumption. The increasing consumer demand for raw fish, coupled with environmental changes such as rising ocean temperatures, underscores the necessity of continuous surveillance to prevent foodborne outbreaks. These findings emphasize the need for targeted AMR monitoring and further research to mitigate the dissemination of resistant <i>V. parahaemolyticus</i> strains and enhance seafood safety.
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spelling doaj-art-3a5e84a70b134ff8908f50bb2b0b93272025-08-20T02:47:09ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-07-01137156610.3390/microorganisms13071566Antibiotic Resistance and Characteristics of <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i> Isolated from Seafood Distributed in South Korea from 2021 to 2022Jonghoon Lee0Hansol Kim1Haiseong Kang2Yongchjun Park3Insun Joo4Hyochin Kim5Food Microbiology Division, Food Safety Evaluation Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Cheongju 28159, Republic of KoreaFood Microbiology Division, Food Safety Evaluation Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Cheongju 28159, Republic of KoreaFood Microbiology Division, Food Safety Evaluation Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Cheongju 28159, Republic of KoreaFood Microbiology Division, Food Safety Evaluation Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Cheongju 28159, Republic of KoreaFood Microbiology Division, Food Safety Evaluation Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Cheongju 28159, Republic of KoreaFood Microbiology Division, Food Safety Evaluation Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Cheongju 28159, Republic of KoreaThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and virulence characteristics of <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i> (<i>V. parahaemolyticus</i>) isolated from olive flounder (<i>Paralichthys olivaceus</i>) and rockfish (<i>Sebastes schlegelii</i>) sashimi samples sold in South Korea from 2021 to 2022. A total of 500 fish samples were analyzed, from which 17 <i>V. parahaemolyticus</i> isolates were obtained. Antibiotic susceptibility testing using the minimum inhibitory concentration method revealed that 58.8% (10/17) of the isolates exhibited resistance to ampicillin, indicating the potential for AMR transmission in seafood-associated pathogens. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and a polymerase chain reaction detected the presence of <i>tlh</i> and <i>trh</i> virulence genes in all isolates, suggesting their pathogenic potential. Although the overall isolation rate of <i>V. parahaemolyticus</i> was low, the presence of virulence and AMR genes indicates public health relevance associated with raw seafood consumption. The increasing consumer demand for raw fish, coupled with environmental changes such as rising ocean temperatures, underscores the necessity of continuous surveillance to prevent foodborne outbreaks. These findings emphasize the need for targeted AMR monitoring and further research to mitigate the dissemination of resistant <i>V. parahaemolyticus</i> strains and enhance seafood safety.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1566<i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i>antimicrobial resistanceampicillinseafoodgastroenteritis
spellingShingle Jonghoon Lee
Hansol Kim
Haiseong Kang
Yongchjun Park
Insun Joo
Hyochin Kim
Antibiotic Resistance and Characteristics of <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i> Isolated from Seafood Distributed in South Korea from 2021 to 2022
Microorganisms
<i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i>
antimicrobial resistance
ampicillin
seafood
gastroenteritis
title Antibiotic Resistance and Characteristics of <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i> Isolated from Seafood Distributed in South Korea from 2021 to 2022
title_full Antibiotic Resistance and Characteristics of <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i> Isolated from Seafood Distributed in South Korea from 2021 to 2022
title_fullStr Antibiotic Resistance and Characteristics of <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i> Isolated from Seafood Distributed in South Korea from 2021 to 2022
title_full_unstemmed Antibiotic Resistance and Characteristics of <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i> Isolated from Seafood Distributed in South Korea from 2021 to 2022
title_short Antibiotic Resistance and Characteristics of <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i> Isolated from Seafood Distributed in South Korea from 2021 to 2022
title_sort antibiotic resistance and characteristics of i vibrio parahaemolyticus i isolated from seafood distributed in south korea from 2021 to 2022
topic <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i>
antimicrobial resistance
ampicillin
seafood
gastroenteritis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1566
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