Vibrio parahaemolyticus

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Classification

Scanning electron micrograph of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Obtained from the CDC Public Health Image Library. Image credit: CDC/Janice Carr (PHIL #6934), 2005.

Higher order taxa

Bacteria (domain); Proteobacteria (phylum); Gammaproteobacteria (class); Vibrionales (order); Vibrionaceae (family); Vibrio (genus); Vibrio parahaemolyticus (species)

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy

Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Description and significance

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a gram negative bacterium that is typically found in warm estuarine seawaters due to its halophilic (salt-requiring) characteristics. It is the number one leading cause of sea-food associated bacterial gastroenteritis in the United States.

V. parahaemolyticus causes diarrhea upon ingestion. While the overwhelming majority of people acquire the infection by eating raw or undercooked seafood (particularly shellfish and oysters), an open wound exposed to warm seawater can facilitate V. parahaemolyticus infection.

Isolation of V. parahaemolyticus is possible from cultures of stool, wound, or blood. Isolation from stool preferably involves a medium that contains thiosulfate, citrate, bile salts, and sucrose (TCBS agar).

Genome structure

Shotgun sequencing of Vibrio parahaemolyticus AQ3810 is unfinished. Here are some general information about the genome:

DNA structure: unspecified Length: 5,771,228 nt Structural RNAs: None GC Content: 45% Completed: 2007/01/11

Vibrio parahaemolyticus plasmid pO3K6, complete sequence DNA structure: circular Length: 8,784 nt Replicon Type: plasmid Replicon Name: pO3K6 Created: 2000/06/29

Vibrio parahaemolyticus plasmid pSA19, complete sequence DNA structure: circular Length: 4,839 nt Replicon Type: plasmid Replicon Name: pSA19 Created: 1996/05/23

Vibrio parahaemolyticus RIMD 2210633 chromosome II, complete sequence DNA structure: circular Length: 1,877,212 nt Replicon Type: chromosome Replicon Name: II Created: 2003/03/10

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?

Cell structure and metabolism

Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

Human ingestion of V. parahaemolyticus causes various symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, and chills.

Application to Biotechnology

Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?

Current Research

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

"Disease Listing, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, General Info". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October 25, 2005.

CDC Public Health Image Library

Edited by Hau-Chen Lee, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano