RESUMO
An ecological survey of Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the coastal waters of Trinidad was conducted between October, 1992 and March, 1993 to examine what factors may contribute to the presence, persistence and possibility of disease transmission to the susceptible human population of Trinidad. One hundred and thirty-two samples (water, plankton and shell fish) were investigated by standard microbiological procedures for the isolation and identification of Vibirio spp. in the marine environment. Water samples from the north coast did not yield any Vibrio species. None of the water, food or plankton samples from the 2 east coast stations were positive for V.cholerae or V.parahaemolyticus though other pathogenic halophilic Vibrio species were isolated. The Gulf Coast stations showed the presence of both V.cholerae and V.parahaemolyticus in differing percentages. V.parahaemolyticus was present at the Caroni Swamp, Williams Bay, Cedros Bay and Othaheite Bay in varying percentages according to type of sample. V.cholerae was not isolated at Caroni Swamp but was present at Williams Bay (a popular bathing spot), Cedros Bay (oysters and plankton) and Othaheite Bay. Planktonic copepods were seen to be a reservoir for both species. The study demonstrates that the waters of the Gulf of Paria satisfy ecological requirements for the growth, persistence and disease transmission of Vibrio spp. to the susceptible population of Trinidad. Water from the South American mainland that is contaminated with V.cholerae may enter and circulate within the Gulf for up to 6 days and this may be an important factor in the occurrence and persistence of these pathogenic bacteria in Trinidadian waters (AU)
