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. 1997 Jun;63(6):2464–2467. doi: 10.1128/aem.63.6.2464-2467.1997

Distribution of Vibrio vulnificus phage in oyster tissues and other estuarine habitats.

A DePaola 1, S McLeroy 1, G McManus 1
PMCID: PMC168542  PMID: 9172370

Abstract

Phages lytic to Vibrio vulnificus were found in estuarine waters, sediments, plankton, crustacea, molluscan shellfish, and the intestines of finfish of the U.S. Gulf Coast, but no apparent relationship between densities of V. vulnificus and its phages was observed. Phage diversity and abundance in molluscan shellfish were much greater than in other habitats. V. vulnificus phages isolated from oysters did not lyse other mesophilic bacteria also isolated from oysters. Both V. vulnificus and its phages were found in a variety of oyster tissues and fluids with lowest densities in the hemolymph and mantle fluid. These findings suggest a close ecological relationship between V. vulnificus phages and molluscan shellfish.

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Selected References

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