Isolation of mycobacteria from frozen fish destined for human consumption

Mycobacteria were isolated from defrost water and tissue of sole (Solea sol ea), hake (Merluccius merluccius), cod (Gadus morhua), ling (Genypterus bla codes), and monkfish (Lophius piscatorius) on Lowenstein-Jensen medium afte r incubation at different temperatures. Samples of frozen fish were obtaine d under sterile conditions inside a refrigeration chamber (-18 to -22 degre es C) in a wholesale market from which these products are distributed to sh ops for retail sale and human consumption.