Vibrioand Related Organismscontinued Clinical Microbiology Review 193
ORGANISM PATHOGENICITY GRAM STAIN CULTURE KEY CHARACTERISTICS
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Aeromonasspp
Plesiomonas shigelloides
(now included in
Enterobacteriaceae)
Oxidase pos. Motile.
Oxidase pos (differenti-
ates from Enterobacte-
riaceae). Motile.
Biochemical & antigenic
similarities to Shigella.
Oxidase pos. Motile.
2nd most common Vibrio
to cause gastroenteritis. Con-
taminated seafood. Water-
associated wound infections.
Seen in U.S.
Gastroenteritis & wound
infections, often related
to aquatic exposure. Sep-
ticemia, meningitis.
Gastroenteritis from contam-
inated water or seafood.
Bacteremia & meningitis in
immunocompromised &
neonates.
Straight or curved
GNR.
Straight or curved
GNR.
Pleomorphic GNR in
singles, pairs, short
chains, or long
filaments.
Requires 1% NaCl for
growth. Grows on SBA,
MAC (NLF). Blue-green
colonies on TCBS (doesn’t
ferment sucrose).
Grows on routine media.
Most are beta hemolytic
on SBA, NLF on MAC.
Doesn’t grow on TCBS.
CIN & APW can be used
for selective isolation.
Grows on SBA, CHOC.
Most grow on MAC,
appear as NLF. Doesn’t
grow on TCBS.