HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Fouz, B. Articles by Amaro, C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Fouz, B. Articles by Amaro, C. Agricola Articles by Fouz, B. Articles by Amaro, C.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of a new fish-virulent Vibrio vulnificus serovar that lacks potential to infect humans

Department of Microbiology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Valencia, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain

Correspondence
Carmen Amaro
carmen.amaro{at}uv.es

Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterial species that is virulent for humans and fish. Human isolates are classified into biotypes 1 and 3 (BT1 and BT3) and fish isolates into biotype 2 (BT2). However, a few human infections caused by BT2 isolates have been reported worldwide (zoonosis). These BT2 human isolates belong to serovar E (SerE), which is also present in diseased fish. The aim of the present work was to characterize a new BT2 serovar [serovar A (SerA)], which emerged in the European fish-farming industry in 2000, by means of phenotypic, serological and genetic [plasmid profiling, ribotyping and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)] methodologies. The results confirmed that SerA constitutes a homogeneous O-serogroup within the species that shares plasmidic information with SerE. Like SerE, this new serogroup was resistant to fresh fish serum, as well as being highly virulent for fish. In contrast, it was sensitive to human serum and avirulent for mice, even after pretreatment with iron. The two serovars presented different biochemical profiles as well as specific patterns by ribotyping and RAPD analysis. In conclusion, SerA seems to constitute a different clonal group that has recently emerged within the species V. vulnificus, with pathogenic potential for fish but not for humans.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. M. Adin, K. L. Visick, and E. V. Stabb Identification of a Cellobiose Utilization Gene Cluster with Cryptic {beta}-Galactosidase Activity in Vibrio fischeri Appl. Envir. Microbiol., July 1, 2008; 74(13): 4059 - 4069. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Valiente, N. Jimenez, S. Merino, J. M. Tomas, and C. Amaro Vibrio vulnificus Biotype 2 Serovar E gne but Not galE Is Essential for Lipopolysaccharide Biosynthesis and Virulence Infect. Immun., April 1, 2008; 76(4): 1628 - 1638. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C.-T. Lee, C. Amaro, K.-M. Wu, E. Valiente, Y.-F. Chang, S.-F. Tsai, C.-H. Chang, and L.-I Hor A Common Virulence Plasmid in Biotype 2 Vibrio vulnificus and Its Dissemination Aided by a Conjugal Plasmid J. Bacteriol., March 1, 2008; 190(5): 1638 - 1648. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]