Q - What foodborne pathogens and natural toxins are associated with seafood?
A - The following foodborne pathogens and natural toxins have some connection with seafood and seafood safety. Each is linked to the to the "Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook" (The Bad Bug Book) which provides basic facts regarding these foodborne pathogenic miroorganisms and natural toxins.
Bacterial Pathogens associated with raw and processed seafood
- Salmonella spp.
- Clostridium botulinum
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Vibrio cholerae O1
- Vibrio cholerae non-Ol
- Vibrio parahaemolyticus and other vibrios
- Vibrio vulnificus
Parasites that are sometimes found in raw seafood
- Anisakis sp. and related worms
- Diphyllobothrium spp.
- Nanophyetus spp.
- Eustrongylides sp.
- Acanthamoeba and other free-living amoebae
- Ascaris lumbricoides and and Trichuris trichiura
Viruses that sometimes contaminate raw seafood
- Hepatitis A virus
- Hepatitis E virus
- Rotavirus
- Norwalk virus group
- Other viral agents
Natural Toxins that are sometimes found in seafood
- Ciguatera poisoning
- Shellfish toxins (PSP, DSP, NSP, ASP)
- Scombroid
- Tetrodotoxin (Pufferfish)
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