Other Vibrios

Vibrio parahaemolyticus

It is a halophilic (salt loving) Vibrio. It causes food poisoning associated with the consumption of raw or undercooked seafood (think shellfish, oysters, sushi). It presents as abdominal cramps,nausea, vomiting , diarrhea and sometimes fever also. It is identified by Gram stain, darting motility and growth in 8% but not 10% NaCl.

Vibrio vulnificus

It is halophilic, associated with wound infections progressing rapidly to cellulitis in seafood handlers or people exposed to seawater or brackish water. It also causes septicaemia with hemorrhagic bullae formation in people with preexisting liver disease who consume raw oysters. Diagnosis is from history, biochemically similar to V.parahaemolyticus except that it ferments lactose rapidly.

Vibrio alginolyticus

It is the most halophilic vibrio, tolerating 10% NaCl. It causes eye, ear and wound infections after swimming in sea water. Biochemically similar to V.parahaemolyticus.