The Prevalence of Campylobacter, Listeria and Salmonella Species in Freshwater and Salt-Water Fish in Eastern Turkey

A total of 154 samples of marine (n=51) and freshwater fish (n=103) were obtained from fish markets in Elazig Province of eastern Turkey. These samples were tested for Campylobacter, Listeria and Salmonella using culturing and biochemical methods. Campylobacter failed to be detected in any freshwater or marine fish samples. Listeria was detected in 22 and 14 of gill and skin samples from freshwater fish, respectively. L. innocua was isolated at a higher prevalence (14.6%) than L. ivanovii (5.8%) and L. monocytogenes (1%) from the gill samples of freshwater fish. In skin samples, L. innocua was detected at higher prevalence (9.7%) than L. ivanovii (2.9%) and L. welshimeri (1%). However, two (1.9%) of the intestine samples of freshwater fish were found to be positive for L. innocua. In addition, L. monocytogenes isolate yielded a positive band by PCR. Listeria murrayi was the most commonly isolated species with a prevalence of 9.8% and 5.9% from the skin and gill samples of marine fish, respectively. However, the lowest prevalence of L. innocua was found (3.9%) from skin samples of marine fish only, but none of the intestine samples of marine fish were tested positive for Listeria spp. L. monocytogenes was not isolated in any marine fish samples. • The results indicate that fish can carry a pathogenic Listeria species. However, Campylobacter and Salmonella were not detected in marine fish samples suggests that fish pose no or little risk to the human population in Elazig Province in eastern Turkey.