Abstract
The prevalence of Vibrio species in shellfish and their seasonal variability in the Great Kwa River estuary (GKWE) were examined. Results revealed a trimodal peak in Vibrio counts, coinciding with meteorological changes and the hot periods of the year. The estuary was constantly faecally polluted, coupled with high rates of infection of shellfish by V. parahaemolyticus 42 (13.6%), V. cholerae non-01 29 (9.4%) and V. alginolyticus 22 (7.1%), thus posing a health risk. The observed seasonal variability and prevalence of Vibrio species infection are of epidemiological significance, and provide a guide for effective control of associated cholera epidemics.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the Technologists of the Department of Microbiology, University of Calabar, and the Department of Biological Sciences, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, for their invaluable technical assistance in the course of this research.
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Eja, M.E., Abriba, C., Etok, C.A. et al. Seasonal Occurrence of Vibrios in Water and Shellfish Obtained from the Great Kwa River Estuary, Calabar, Nigeria. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 81, 245–248 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-008-9482-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-008-9482-x