This organism is a small, motile, facultatively anaerobic Gram-negative straight or curved bacillus. Members of Vibrio spp. are not fastidious organisms and grow well at 37 C on standard media commonly used to cultivate and isolate enteric organisms. Unlike Campylobacter species, Vibrios are able to metabolize a variety of sugars but usually do not produce gas. Strains can be halotolerant or halophilic, with some requiring 3% NaCl for normal growth.
Reservoirs for these organisms include contaminated water or foods, and especially waters and foods associated with shellfish. Vibrio fluvialis causes gastroenteritis through ingestion of/contact with contaminated seawater.