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

A collection of 13 strains of Vibrio mimicus, including both clinical and environmental isolates from different geographic regions, was examined for various toxins. One strain of environmental origin produced cholera-like toxin (CT) which was completely absorbed with anti-CT immunoglobulin G, five strains produced a haemolysin that cross-reacted with the thermostable direct haemolysin of V. parahaemolyticus and DNA from two strains hybridised with a DNA probe specific for the heat-stable enterotoxin of V. cholerae non-O1. Culture supernates of all strains produced a factor that was cytotoxic to Vero and Chinese hamster ovary cells. In this study, we were able to identify strains of V. mimicus that produced, or had the genetic potential to produce, several toxin types simultaneously. The role of these strains as genetic reservoirs is discussed.