First findings of potentially human pathogenic bacteria Vibrio in the south-eastern Baltic Sea coastal and transitional bathing waters

Abstract Vibriospp. are bacteria that inhabit fresh and marine waters throughout the world and can cause severe infections in humans. This study aimed to investigate the presence of potentially pathogenic Vibriobacteria in the coastal waters of the LithuanianBaltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. The results of cultivation on TCBS media showed that total abundance of Vibriospp. varied from 1.2 × 102 to 6 × 104 CFU L−1. Real-time PCR revealed that the V. vulnificus vvhA gene varied from 2.8 × 103 to 3.7 × 104 copies L−1, with the highest amounts in sites with average water salinity of 7.1 PSU. Both green and blue- green algaeand lower salinity play a role in the growth and spread of total Vibriospp. Although potential infection risk was low at the time of this study, regular monitoring of Vibriospp. and infection risk assessments are recommended.