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Vibrio mimicus with multiple toxin types isolated from human and environmental sources

T Ramamurthy1, M J Albert, A Huq

  • 1National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Beliaghata, Calcutta, India.

Journal of Medical Microbiology
|March 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

This study found that Vibrio mimicus strains can produce multiple toxins simultaneously, including cholera-like toxin (CT) and heat-stable enterotoxin. These bacteria may act as significant genetic reservoirs for toxin production.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Vibrio mimicus is an important bacterial species with clinical and environmental relevance.
  • Understanding the toxin-producing potential of V. mimicus is crucial for assessing its pathogenicity and epidemiological impact.
  • Previous studies have indicated the presence of various virulence factors in V. mimicus, but a comprehensive analysis of toxin profiles is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the spectrum of toxin production in a collection of Vibrio mimicus strains.
  • To identify strains possessing multiple toxin-encoding genes or producing various toxins concurrently.
  • To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of V. mimicus culture supernatants on mammalian cell lines.

Main Methods:

  • Bacterial strains: 13 Vibrio mimicus strains (clinical and environmental isolates) were analyzed.
  • Toxin detection: Assays for cholera-like toxin (CT), haemolysin, and heat-stable enterotoxin (using DNA hybridization).
  • Cytotoxicity assays: Vero and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were exposed to culture supernatants.

Main Results:

  • One environmental strain produced CT, neutralized by anti-CT immunoglobulin G.
  • Five strains produced haemolysin cross-reactive with V. parahaemolyticus thermostable direct haemolysin.
  • DNA from two strains hybridized with a probe for heat-stable enterotoxin of V. cholerae non-O1.
  • All strains produced a cytotoxic factor affecting Vero and CHO cells.

Conclusions:

  • Vibrio mimicus strains can simultaneously produce multiple types of toxins.
  • The identified strains represent potential genetic reservoirs for diverse toxin types.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of these toxigenic V. mimicus strains in disease and their potential as a source of novel virulence factors.

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