MALDI-TOF MS as a promising tool to assess potential virulence of Vibrio tapetis isolates

Vibrio tapetis, the etiological agent of Brown Ring Disease, mainly affects Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum. Although this bacterium is known as a pathogen, it has been isolated from several fish species. The main aim present study was to further explore variability 27 V. tapetis isolates bivalves and fish, considering three different aspects; in vitro virulence based on loss hemocyte adhesion properties, detection gene virB4 encoding for an essential component Type IV Secretion System, MALDI-TOF MS characterization whole cell extracts. Finally, these approaches were compared evaluated their ability differentiate potential pathogenicity against clams. Among 11 common dab 2018 Belgium, only one (2BB) showed intermediate clam, seven carried while none previously 2003 presence particular gene. peak protein profiles generated with analysis all strains clear clustering pathogenic nonpathogenic suggesting that new isolate would cluster within could be potentially clam. Thereupon, typing allows rapid cost-efficient identification can defined complementary method traditional qPCR opens perspectives but also perform environmental monitoring order prevent outbreaks.