Differing resistance to polymorphonuclear cells of halophilic- and hypotonic-types of Vibrio vulnificus.

Bacterial growth and lethality of 4 strains of Vibrio vulnificus infection of mice were enhanced by gamma-irradiation but not by treatment with carrageenan. Therefore, protection against V. vulnificus, at least in the early phases, probably depends mainly on polymorphonuclear cells (PMN), since carrageenan depletes macrophages but not PMN. PMN dependent protection against infection differs for 2 types of V. vulnificus strains. Halophilic- and hypotonic-type were distinguished from the corresponding parent strain. The hypotonic-type of the strains had capsular materials, as clarified by electron microscopic observation of the organisms stained with ruthenium red. On the other hand, halophilic-types either had no observable capsular materials, or incomplete materials, in contrast to the corresponding hypotonic-type. The corresponding halophilic- and hypotonic-types of the strains were compared for virulence in mice. The strains with capsular materials acquired resistance to phagocytic activity and were highly lethal. Capsular materials of V. vulnificus are no doubt important for the expression of virulence.