Virulence factor genes and comparative pathogenicity study of tdh, trh and tlh positive Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains isolated from Whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) in India.

Abstract Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a gram-negative halophilic bacterium responsible for gastrointestinal infection in human and vibriosis in aquatic animals. The thermostable direct hemolysin (tdh), tdh-related hemolysin (trh) and thermolabile hemolysin (tlh) positive strains of V. parahaemolyticus were identified from brackishwater aquaculture farms of West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, India. Moreover, the presence of other virulent genes like vcrD1, vopD, vp1680 under type three secretion system 1 (T3SS1) and vcrD2 vopD2, vopB2, vopC2 under type three secretion system 2 (T3SS2) were detected in tdh positive strain of V. parahaemolyticus. Furthermore, the study revealed that the tdh and trh positive isolates were resistant to β-lactam antibiotics and were able to lyse more than 95% of human Red Blood Cells (RBCs). In addition, both the isolates showed high cytotoxicity in Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) cell line compared to tlh positive strain. Additionally, intraperitoneal and oral administration of tdh and trh positive strain of V. parahaemolyticus in Indian Major Carp, Labeo rohita caused 100% mortality at the level of 2.0 × 108 CFU ml−1 and 1.6 × 108 CFU ml−1, respectively. In contrast, only 10% mortality was observed in the case of tlh positive strain at the level of 2.5× 108 CFU ml−1. The histopathological changes like infiltration of blood cells and degenerated hepatic tissue in the liver of L. rohita were observed after the experimental challenge. The changes like degeneration of glomeruli, necrosis of renal tubules and Bowman's capsule were observed in the kidney section. Ragged, irregular shaped villi and necrosis of the villus were observed in the intestinal lumen. Overall, the study demonstrates that isolated V. parahaemolyticus is a potent aquatic microbial pathogen. Additionally, as V. parahaemolyticus is also a human pathogen and might pose a threat to the human population, proper management strategies are required to prevent the possible occurrence of disease.