Role of iron, capsule, and toxins in the pathogenicity of Vibrio vulnificus biotype 2 for mice.
The virulence mechanisms of Vibrio vulnificus biotype 2 have been studied and compared with those of biotype 1 in mice as the experimental animals. Biotype 2 isolates from European eels were as virulent for mice as biotype 1 strains (50% lethal dose, about 10(5) CFU per mouse); a septicemic infection developed in less than 24 h. These strains had several properties in common with biotype 1 organisms including capsule expression, uptake of various iron sources, and production of exoproteins, whose role in mouse virulence has been demonstrated. We also discuss the implication of biotype 2 strains in human infections.
Amaro
C
C
Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Valencia, Spain.
Biosca
E G
EG
Fouz
B
B
Toranzo
A E
AE
Garay
E
E
D000818:Animals; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity; D004524:Eels / Q000382:microbiology; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D013045:Species Specificity; D014733:Vibrio / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014735:Vibrio Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D014774:Virulence / Q000502:physiology
D005098:Exotoxins; D007501:Iron