Toxic strains of Vibrio spp. in two estuaries of the Argentinian Patagonia: human health risks and implication on climate change.

KOPPRIO, G. A.; OKUNO, K; STREITENBERGER, M. E; BALDINI, M; BIANCALANA, F.; YAMASAKI, S.; LARA, R. J.

Granda

Congreso; ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting 2015; 2015

Vibrio spp. play a key role in aquatic ecosystems providing essential fatty acids, taking up organic nutrients, breaking down chitin and degrading pollutants. Despite these valuable ecosystem services, Vibrio cholera, V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus are halophile bacteria relevant for human health and strongly associated to cycles of nutrients in estuaries. The rivers Colorado and Negro are the main fresh water sources in the semiarid region of North Patagonia and have therefore an enormous ecological and economic importance. These rivers are principally impacted by sewage discharges and agricultural activities. Toxic strains of V. cholera and V. parahaemolyticus were detected on both estuaries with a highly sensitive and specific multiplex PCR assay. This finding hasimplications on the projected tropicalization of intermediate latitudes and expansionof the tropical habitat of Vibrio spp. This work contributes also to the comprehension of the effects of biogeochemical processes on the dynamic of this species.