Vibrio parahaemolyticus
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria (domain); Proteobacteria (phylum); Gammaproteobacteria (class); Vibrionales (order); Vibrionaceae (family); Vibrio (genus); Vibrio parahaemolyticus (species)
Species
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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
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Ecology
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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
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References
CDC Public Health Image Library
Edited by Hau-Chen Lee, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano
