---
title: Vibrio parahaemolyticus
description: "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*…"
url: "https://vumicro.com/docs/vibrio-parahaemolyticus/"
updated: "2024-09-17"
category: Reference Library / Spiral and Curved Bacteria
---

# Vibrio parahaemolyticus

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 parahaemolyticus* causes acute gastroenteritis resulting from ingestion of contaminated seafood such as raw fish or shellfish.  Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever, and watery/bloody diarrhea.  There is a lower mortality rate than seen with cholera, and symptoms resolve in 5-7 days.