Assessment of polyaromatic hydrocarbon degradation by potentially pathogenic environmental Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates from coastal Louisiana, USA

► PAH derived from oil spills has proposed as a risk factor for elevated pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp). ► We screened Vp isolates obtained from coastal Louisiana at the outset and during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. ► None of the isolates, which represented five distinct genotypes were able to grow on phenanthrene and naphthalene. ► The naphthalene degradation product 1-naphthol significantly inhibits isolate growth. ► PAH contamination does not appear to represent a significant risk factor for enrichment of potentially pathogenic Vp.