Fish: serologic evidence of infection with human pathogens.

Specific antibodies to several bacteria pathogenic to humans were detected in the serums of white perch from surface waters adjacent to heavily populated areas on Chesapeake Bay. White perch from surface waters adjacent to sparsely populated areas were free of such antibodies. We suggest that fish may become actively infected with human pathogens by exposure to contaminated water and may constitute a hazard to public health.