Plesiomonas

A genus of Gram-negative, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic bacteria in the family Enterobacteriaceae, found in surface water, soil, fish and shellfish, and aquatic animals and mammals, and Plesiomonas shigelloides causes gastroenteritis in humans who consume of contaminated food such as raw fish and shellfish, or contaminated water. Common in warm surface waters and on raw seafood, it is controlled through proper cooking, clean harvest waters, and hygienic processing. Its presence reminds producers that aquatic products need the same attention to water quality and temperature control as any other perishable food.