Abstract:
Fish farming has grown in Mozambique. This activity contributes to food security, economic growth,
job creation and reduced pressure on species in the natural environment. Vibrio infections are limiting
factors for sustainable fish farming because they create a setback in the production and marketing of
aquaculture products worldwide is a risk to human health and constitute a significant problem for the
economic development of the sector due to high mortality rates and loss of meat quality. The objective
of this work is to investigate bacteria of the genus Vibrio spp pathogenic in tilapia Oreochromis
mossambicus cultured in brackish water tanks in the Inhassunge District. A total of 65 fish weighing
50-120 grams were analyzed between April and June of 2016, with the aid of a shovel. The samples
were transported in sterile pouches and in isothermal boxes to the fish inspection laboratory. Biometry
was performed and 20 grams of muscle were taken including the fish brain for microbiological
analysis. The vibrios were isolated on TCBS agar and confirmed through API 20E and the prevalence
was determined. The prevalence of Vibrio spp in the fish sampled was 38.5%. Vibrio species isolated
were V. vulnificus (15.4%), V. alginolyticus (12.3%), V. fluvialis (7.7%) and V. mimicus (3.1%). These
bacteria can cause disease in fish during cultivation, lead to high mortality rates, especially when the
fish were under stress conditions. Species of the genus Vibrio isolated in fish represent a certain risk to
human health.
