Detection of Arcobacter spp. in Mytilus galloprovincialis samples collected from Apulia region

The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of <em>Arcobacter</em> spp. in 20 samples of <em>Mytilus galloprovincialis</em> purchased at fish markets in Apulia region. The detection of <em>Arcobacter</em> spp. was performed, after selective enrichment, on modified charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate (mCCD) agar supplemented with Cefoperazone, Amphotericin B and Teicoplanin (CAT). In 6 out of the 20 tested samples the presence of <em>Arcobacter</em> spp. was found and confirmed by genus-based polymerase chain reaction. All the isolates were identified as belonging to the species<em> Arcobacter butzleri</em> using 16S rDNA sequencing and BLAST online. The results represent the first report in Italy of <em>A. butzleri</em> detection in marketed <em>Mytilus galloprovincialis</em>. The survey underlines the epidemiological importance of <em>A. butzleri</em> as an emerging pathogen, and highlights that mussels should be considered as a potential cause of foodborne disease outbreak