Vibrio parahaemolyticus virulence genes in environmental Vibrionaceae

What is it about?

Detection of the human pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus often relies on molecular biological analysis of virulence factor genes. These genes have been employed to estimate V. parahaemolyticus numbers and the proportion of V. parahaemolyticus strains that are potentially pathogenic to humans. Strains of several other Vibrionaceae species that were isolated from a pristine estuary were also found to carry these genes.

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Why is it important?

Virulence factor genes thought to be found only in Vibrio parahaemolyticus are not specific to this species. Detection of these genes cannot be equated with detection of pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus. This potentially complicates investigations of V. parahaemolyticus outbreaks.