Existence of two distinct hemolysins in Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Two distinct hemolysins were demonstrated in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. A thermostable direct hemolysin purified from V. parahemolyticus WP-1, a Kanagawa phenomenon (KP)-positive strain, is antigenically different from a thermolabile hemolysin produced by V. parahaemolyticus T-3454, a KP-negative strain. The thermostable direct hemolysin was found in KP-positive strains but not in KP-negative strains. On the other hand, the thermolabile hemolysins were found in both KP-positive and -negative strains, although some KP-positive strains did not produce this hemolysin.