The pea crab Nepinnotheres villosulus is recorded for the first time from Sonmiani, Pakistan. It was found in six species of clams, Meretrix casta, Marcia recens, Callista umbonella, Gastrana multangula, Protapes cor and Psammotreta angulata and in one species of blood cockle, Anadara antiquate, with the highest prevalence in Meretrix casta. In some clams, both male and female crabs were found inside the host. More than 60% of female crabs were soft-shelled and ovigerous.

Infections with Vibrio spp. have frequently been associated with consumption of bivalve molluscs, especially oysters, but illness associated with clams has also been well documented. We describe the 2312 domestically acquired foodborne Vibrio infections reported to the Cholera and Other Vibrio Illness Surveillance system from 1988 to 2010. Clams were associated with at least 4% (93 persons, ‘only clams’) and possibly as many as 24% (556 persons, ‘any clams’) of foodborne cases. Of those who consumed ‘only clams’, 77% of infections were caused by V. parahaemolyticus. Clam-associated illnesses were generally similar to those associated with other seafood consumption. Clams associated with these illnesses were most frequently harvested from the Atlantic coastal states and eaten raw. Our study describes the contribution of clams to the overall burden of foodborne vibriosis and indicates that a comprehensive programme to prevent foodborne vibriosis need to address the risks associated with clams.

An histology and pathological survey on carpet-shell clam cultured in the south of Galicia (NW Spain) (Ruditapes decussatus) was carried out for a two years period (2000-2001). A temporal distribution of the potentially pathogenic agents were determined by histological analysis. In addition, stocks of molluscs reported to suffer mortalities during the studied period were also analyzed and the pathogenic burden determined. Pathogens do not follow a temporal pattern over studied period and no significant differences were detected nor on the presence nor in prevalence of these pathogens among all the analysed stocks. Therefore, no direct relationship can be established between infection by any pathogen and mortality episodes.