Occurrence of Vibrio spp. in Selected Recreational Water Bodies in Belgium during 2021 Bathing Season

Rosalie Sacheli (), Camille Philippe, Cécile Meex, Samy Mzougui, Pierrette Melin and Marie-Pierre Hayette
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Rosalie Sacheli: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Belgian National Reference Center Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus , Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), University Hospital of Liege, 4000 Liège, Belgium
Camille Philippe: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Belgian National Reference Center Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus , Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), University Hospital of Liege, 4000 Liège, Belgium
Cécile Meex: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Belgian National Reference Center Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus , Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), University Hospital of Liege, 4000 Liège, Belgium
Samy Mzougui: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Belgian National Reference Center Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus , Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), University Hospital of Liege, 4000 Liège, Belgium
Pierrette Melin: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Belgian National Reference Center Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus , Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), University Hospital of Liege, 4000 Liège, Belgium
Marie-Pierre Hayette: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Belgian National Reference Center Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus , Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), University Hospital of Liege, 4000 Liège, Belgium

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 20, 1-13

Abstract: In recent years, a global increase in the number of reports of human vibriosis involving V. cholerae non-O1/O139 (NOVC) and other Vibrio spp. has been observed. In this context, the Belgian National Reference Center for Vibrio conducted an assessment of the presence of Vibrio spp. in recreational waters. Water sampling was performed monthly in different lakes in Wallonia and Flanders, including the North Sea. The collected water was then filtrated and cultured, and Vibrio spp. was quantified according to the Most Probable Number (MPN). Presumptive colonies were confirmed via MALDI-TOF, and PCR for virulence genes was applied if justified. No Vibrio spp. was found in the analyzed water bodies in Wallonia. However, NOVC was isolated from three different lakes in Flanders and from coastal water. In addition, V. alginolyticus and V. parahaemolyticus were also detected in coastal water. No clear impact of the pH and temperature was observed on Vibrio spp. occurrence. Our study demonstrates the presence of Vibrio spp. in different bathing water bodies, mostly in the north of Belgium, and supports the recommendation to include Vibrio spp. as a water quality indicator for bathing water quality assessment to ensure the safety of water recreational users in Belgium.

Keywords: Vibrio spp.; vibriosis; Belgium; recreational water; bathing water (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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