Identification of tetrodotoxin-producing bacteria from goby Yongeichthys criniger
Fen Wei1, Tinglong Ma1, Xiaoling Gong1
1The Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201306, China.
Abstract:
Toxic goby fish (Yongeichthys criniger) containing tetrodotoxin (TTX), from Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, China, were screened for TTX-producing bacteria. Two toxic bacterial strains were isolated from the liver of Y. criniger and respectively denoted XC3-3 and XL-1. TTX production by the strains was confirmed by mouse bioassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Based on morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA phylogenetic analysis, strain XC3-3 was identified as Enterobacter cloaca and XL-1 was closely related to Rahnella aquatilis. These findings show for the first time that TTX-producing bacteria are symbiotic bacteria in goby and suggest that bacterial strains are at least partially responsible for TTX accumulation in Y. criniger.
Related Concept Videos
Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial Toxins


