Abstract
In this study, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio alginolyticus, marine foodborne pathogens, were treated with Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation (240 J.m(-2)) to evaluate alterations in their virulence genes expression levels. Firstly, we searched for the presence of eight Vibrio cholerae virulence genes, toxR, toxS, toxRS, ctxA, zot, ace, toxT, and virulence pathogenicity island (VPI), in the genome of investigated strains. The expression of toxR and toxS genes in UVC-irradiated bacteria, studied by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, was found to be altered. These variations were manifested by an increase or a decrease in the expression level of tested virulence genes. Further, the mRNA quantities of VPI and ace genes remained stable after treatment.