as a Natural Reservoir of : Insights from GFP-Tagged Strain Tracking.

Vibrios are widespread in marine environments, and their persistence is often linked to natural reservoirs such as filter-feeding bivalves. This study investigated the capacity of the Mediterranean mussel, , to act as a reservoir of using a GFP-tagged strain in controlled experiments. Mussels (shell length 4-6 cm) were exposed to gfp in estuarine and seawater at 12 °C and 20 °C over six days. Bacterial accumulation in gills, digestive gland, and gonads, as well as in feces and pseudofeces, was quantified, and the immune response following microbial challenge was assessed by histopathological analysis. Mussels actively removed from the water, but not completely. were rapidly accumulated in organs, with the highest densities in the digestive gland (up to 10-10 CFU g), and substantial bacterial loads detected in biodeposits (1.55-3.77 × 10 CFU g). Salinity had a greater effect than temperature on bacterial accumulation, with consistently higher counts in seawater assays. Concurrently with bacterial accumulation, mussels activated their immune system, as evidenced by the detection of granulocytomas and hemocytic infiltrations. Overall, these results demonstrate that accumulates in tissues and biodeposits, serving as a natural reservoir for this bacterium.