Why test for Vibrios?

Testing for Vibrio spp. might be required for a number of reasons, including: to meet product guidelines for consumer safety, market access, food safety control, to understand risk drivers, and to investigate illnesses.

Unlike other bacterial pathogens, there is limited guidance on the microbiological criteria of Vibrios present in food to ensure it is safe to eat. This is because there are unknowns about virulence of different strains, infectious dosages and not all strains of the major pathogenic species can make people sick.

Despite this, testing for Vibrio spp. can provide information about risks present in food or in seafood producing areas. There are different types of testing available, with each providing different results. The choice of test method should take into consideration what the results will be used for.

Testing for Vibrio spp. in food can either be qualitative or quantitative.

Qualitative Testing

Qualitative Testing

Qualitative techniques assess whether Vibrio spp. of interest are present in the sample being analysed. Two commonly used techniques include culture-based testing and PCR detection.

 

 

Quantitative Testing

Quantitative Testing

Quantitative tests provide an estimate of the number of Vibrio cells within a sample. They can give detailed insight into the potential risk the sample poses or can indicate poor handling practices, such as temperature-time abuse. Commonly used quantitative techniques include culture-based methods (plate counts and Most Probable Number (MPN) methods) or molecular techniques, such as MPN-PCR.

For more detailed information on test methods and basic guidance on application of the different techniques, see our Vibrio method summary.

Where can I find a testing provider?

Our recent survey indicated that while testing volumes in Australia are low, there are laboratories available to conduct testing in each state. Some labs offer both quantitative and qualitative testing, however some only offer qualitative. To find a NATA accredited laboratory near you, head to nata.com.au/find-organisation/. SafeFish can also assist in finding a laboratory to provide the testing services you require.