Protection of mice against Vibrio vulnificus disease by vaccination with surface antigen preparations and anti-surface antigen antisera

Structure, Function, and Regulation of the Essential Virulence Factor Capsular Polysaccharide of Vibrio vulnificus

Vibrio vulnificus populates coastal waters around the world, where it exists freely or becomes concentrated in filter feeding mollusks. It also causes rapid and life-threatening sepsis and wound infections in humans. Of its many virulence factors, it is the V. vulnificus capsule, composed of capsular polysaccharide (CPS), that plays a critical role in evasion of the host innate immune system by conferring antiphagocytic ability and resistance to complement-mediated killing. CPS may also provoke a portion of the host inflammatory cytokine response to this bacterium. CPS production is biochemically and genetically diverse among strains of V. vulnificus, and the carbohydrate diversity of CPS is likely affected by horizontal gene transfer events that result in new combinations of biosynthetic genes. Phase variation between virulent encapsulated opaque colonial variants and attenuated translucent colonial variants, which have little or no CPS, is a common phenotype among strains of this species. One mechanism for generating acapsular variants likely involves homologous recombination between repeat sequences flanking the wzb phosphatase gene within the Group 1 CPS biosynthetic and transport operon. A considerable number of environmental, genetic, and regulatory factors have now been identified that affect CPS gene expression and CPS production in this pathogen.

Cross-protection against Vibrio cholerae infection by monoclonal antibodies against Vibrio vulnificus RtxA1/MARTXVv

Gram-negative Vibrio species secrete multifunctional autoprocessing repeats-in-toxin (MARTX) toxins associated with bacterial pathogenesis. Here, the cross-reactivity and cross-protectivity of mAbs against V. vulnificus RtxA1/MARTX_Vv was evaluated. Passive administration of any of these mAbs (21RA, 24RA, 46RA, 47RA and 50RA) provided strong protection against lethal V. cholerae infection. Interestingly, 24RA and 46RA, which map to the cysteine protease domain of V. cholerae MARTX_Vc , inhibited CPD autocleavage in vitro; this process is involved in V. cholerae pathogenesis. These results generate new insight into the development of broadly protective mAbs and/or vaccines against Vibrio species with MARTX toxins.

Development and characterization of a catalytically inactive cysteine protease domain of RtxA1/MARTXVv as a potential vaccine for Vibrio vulnificus

Recent studies have defined several virulence factors as vaccine candidates against Vibrio vulnificus. However, most of these factors have the potential to cause pathogenic effects in the vaccinees or induce incomplete protection. To overcome these drawbacks, a catalytically inactive form, CPDVv (C3725S), of the well-conserved cysteine protease domain (CPD) of V. vulnificus multifunctional autoprocessing repeats-in-toxin (MARTXVv /RtxA1) was recombinantly generated and characterized. Notably, active and passive immunization with CPDVv (C3725S) conferred protective immunity against V. vulnificus strains. These results may provide a novel framework for developing safe and efficient subunit vaccines and/or therapeutics against V. vulnificus that target the CPD of MARTX toxins.

Monoclonal antibodies against Vibrio vulnificus RtxA1 elicit protective immunity through distinct mechanisms

Vibrio vulnificus causes rapidly progressing septicemia with an extremely high mortality rate (≥50%), even with aggressive antibiotic treatment. The bacteria secrete multifunctional autoprocessing repeats-in-toxin (MARTX) toxins, which are involved in the pathogenesis of Gram-negative Vibrio species. Recently, we reported that immunization with the C-terminal region of V. vulnificus RtxA1/MARTXVv, RtxA1-C, elicits a protective immune response against V. vulnificus through a poorly defined mechanism. In this study, we generated a panel of new monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against V. vulnificus RtxA1-C and investigated their protective efficacies and mechanisms in a mouse model of infection. Prophylactic administration of seven MAbs strongly protected mice against lethal V. vulnificus infection (more than 90% survival). Moreover, three of these MAbs (21RA, 24RA, and 47RA) demonstrated marked efficacy as postexposure therapy. Notably, 21RA was therapeutically effective against lethal V. vulnificus infection by a variety of routes. Using Fab fragments and a neutropenic mouse model, we showed that 21RA and 24RA mediate protection from V. vulnificus infection through an Fc-independent and/or neutrophil-independent pathway. In contrast, 47RA-mediated protection was dependent on its Fc region and was reduced to 50% in neutropenic mice compared with 21RA-mediated and 24RA-mediated protection. Bacteriological study indicated that 21RA appears to enhance the clearance of V. vulnificus from the blood. Overall, these studies suggest that humoral immunity controls V. vulnificus infection through at least two different mechanisms. Furthermore, our panel of MAbs could provide attractive candidates for the further development of immunoprophylaxis/therapeutics and other therapies against V. vulnificus that target the MARTX toxin.

Protection against Vibrio vulnificus infection by active and passive immunization with the C-terminal region of the RtxA1/MARTXVv protein

Vibrio vulnificus is a foodborne pathogen that is prevalent in coastal waters worldwide. Infection with V. vulnificus causes septicemia with fatality rates exceeding 50% even with aggressive antibiotic therapy. Several vaccine studies to prevent V. vulnificus infection have been performed but have had limited success. In this study, we identified the C-terminal region (amino acids 3491 to 4701) of the V. vulnificus multifunctional autoprocessing RTX (MARTXVv or RtxA1) protein, RtxA1-C, as a promising antigen that induces protective immune responses against V. vulnificus. Vaccination of mice with recombinant RtxA1-C protein with adjuvant elicited a robust antibody response and a dramatic reduction in blood bacterial load in mice infected intraperitoneally. Vaccination resulted in significant protection against lethal challenge with V. vulnificus. Furthermore, intraperitoneal passive immunization with serum raised against the recombinant RtxA1-C protein demonstrated marked efficacy in both prophylaxis and therapy. These results suggest that active and passive immunization against the C-terminal region of the RtxA1 protein may be an effective approach in the prevention and therapy of V. vulnificus infections.

Role of GacA in virulence of Vibrio vulnificus

The GacS/GacA two-component signal transduction system regulates virulence, biofilm formation and symbiosis in Vibrio species. The present study investigated this regulatory pathway in Vibrio vulnificus, a human pathogen that causes life-threatening disease associated with the consumption of raw oysters and wound infections. Small non-coding RNAs (csrB1, csrB2, csrB3 and csrC) commonly regulated by the GacS/GacA pathway were decreased (P<0.0003) in a V. vulnificus CMCP6 ΔgacA : : aph mutant compared with the wild-type parent, and expression was restored by complementation of the gacA deletion mutation in trans. Of the 20 genes examined by RT-PCR, significant reductions in the transcript levels of the mutant in comparison with the wild-type strain were observed only for genes related to motility (flaA), stationary phase (rpoS) and protease (vvpE) (P=0.04, 0.01 and 0.002, respectively). Swimming motility, flagellation and opaque colony morphology indicative of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) were unchanged in the mutant, while cytotoxicity, protease activity, CPS phase variation and the ability to acquire iron were decreased compared with the wild-type (P<0.01). The role of gacA in virulence of V. vulnificus was also demonstrated by significant impairment in the ability of the mutant strain to cause either skin (P<0.0005) or systemic infections (P<0.02) in subcutaneously inoculated, non-iron-treated mice. However, the virulence of the mutant was equivalent to that of the wild-type in iron-treated mice, demonstrating that the GacA pathway in V. vulnificus regulates the virulence of this organism in an iron-dependent manner.

Intraspecific Differentiation of Vibrio vulnificus Biotypes by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism and Ribotyping

The intraspecific genomic relatedness of 80 Vibrio vulnificus isolates, 44 of biotype 1 and 36 of biotype 2, from different geographic origins and sources was evaluated by ribotyping and AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) fingerprinting. Ribopatterns of DNAs digested with KpnI and hybridized with an oligonucleotide complementary to a highly conserved sequence in the 23S rRNA gene revealed up to 19 ribotypes in the species, which were different for the two biotypes. Sixteen different ribotypes were found within biotype 1 strains from clinical and environmental sources, and only three, recovered mainly from diseased eels, were found within biotype 2. Within this biotype, 96% of the strains showed the same ribopattern. The closest similarity was shown by the strains coming from the same eel farm, irrespectively of biotype. AFLP fingerprints obtained by selective PCR amplification of HindIII-TaqI double-restricted DNA fragments exhibited a strain-specific pattern which allowed the finest differentiation of subgroups within the eel-pathogenic isolates sharing the same ribopattern. Both techniques revealed good genetic markers for intraspecific differentiation of V. vulnificus. Ribotyping clearly separated the eel-pathogenic strains from the clinical and environmental isolates, whereas AFLP enabled the monitoring of individual strains and therefore constitutes one of the most discriminative tools for epidemiological and ecological studies.

Identification of a group 1-like capsular polysaccharide operon for Vibrio vulnificus

Virulence of Vibrio vulnificus correlates with changes in colony morphology that are indicative of a reversible phase variation for expression of capsular polysaccharide (CPS). Encapsulated variants are virulent with opaque colonies, whereas phase variants with reduced CPS expression are attenuated and are translucent. Using TnphoA mutagenesis, we identified a V. vulnificus CPS locus, which included an upstream ops element, a wza gene (wza(Vv)), and several open reading frames with homology to CPS biosynthetic genes. This genetic organization is characteristic of group 1 CPS operons. The wza gene product is required for transport of CPS to the cell surface in Escherichia coli. Polar transposon mutations in wza(Vv) eliminated expression of downstream biosynthetic genes, confirming operon structure. On the other hand, nonpolar inactivation of wza(Vv) was specific for CPS transport, did not alter CPS biosynthesis, and could be complemented in trans. Southern analysis of CPS phase variants revealed deletions or rearrangements at this locus. A survey of environmental isolates indicated a correlation between deletions in wza(Vv) and loss of virulent phenotype, suggesting a genetic mechanism for CPS phase variation. Full virulence in mice required surface expression of CPS and supported the essential role of capsule in the pathogenesis of V. vulnificus.

Differential expression of Vibrio vulnificus capsular polysaccharide

Vibrio vulnificus is a human pathogen whose virulence has been associated with the expression of capsular polysaccharide (CPS). Multiple CPS types have been described; however, virulence does not appear to correlate with a particular CPS composition. Reversible-phase variation for opaque and translucent colony morphologies is characterized by changes in CPS expression, as suggested by electron microscopy of cells stained nonspecifically with ruthenium red. Isolates with opaque colony morphologies are virulent and appear to be more thickly encapsulated than naturally occurring translucent-phase variants, which have reduced, patchy, or absent CPS. Previously, we have shown that the virulence of translucent-phase variants was intermediate between opaque-phase variants and acapsular transposon mutants, suggesting a correlation between virulence and the amount of CPS expressed. In the present study, CPS expression of phase variants and genetically defined mutants of V. vulnificus M06-24/O was examined by using a CPS-specific monoclonal antibody with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, and immunoelectron microscopy. Semiquantitative analyses of CPS expression correlated well among these assays, confirming that the translucent-phase variant was intermediate in CPS expression and retained type I CPS-specific epitopes. Cell surface expression of CPS varied with the growth phase, increasing during logarithmic growth and declining in stationary culture. Significantly greater CPS expression (P = 0.026) was observed for cells grown at 30 degrees C than for those at 37 degrees C. These studies confirm that phase variation and virulence in V. vulnificus correlate with the amount of CPS expressed and demonstrate the fluidity of bacterial polysaccharide expression in response to environmental conditions.

An epimerase gene essential for capsule synthesis in Vibrio vulnificus

The extracellular capsule polysaccharide (CPS) of Vibrio vulnificus is a primary virulence factor which allows survival of the bacteria in the human host. To study the genes involved in expression of the capsule, we generated mutants that lost the ability to produce CPS following the insertion of a minitransposon into the genome of an encapsulated, clinical strain of V. vulnificus. A genomic region, from one nonencapsulated mutant, containing the transposon and flanking V. vulnificus DNA was cloned, and a probe complementary to the chromosomal DNA immediately adjacent to the transposon was used to locate this fragment in the genome of the encapsulated parent strain. The fragment, which contained a putative capsule gene, was cloned and, when supplied in trans, complemented the mutation in the nonencapsulated mutant to restore capsule production. In addition, virulence studies, using the 50% lethal dose assay, showed that the restoration of capsule production also restored the virulence of the organism. Sequence analysis of the gene disrupted by the transposon revealed that it matched a nucleotide-sugar epimerase of Vibrio cholerae O139, with 75 and 85% identities at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively. In addition, computer analysis recognized epimerases of various organisms as highly similar to the putative epimerase of V. vulnificus. Finally, a combination of PCR amplification and Southern blotting showed that this epimerase is common to at least 10 strains of V. vulnificus that each express a serologically distinct CPS. Our results indicate that the epimerase gene is essential for capsule expression in V. vulnificus.

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and ribotype profiles of clinical and environmental Vibrio vulnificus isolates

Vibrio vulnificus belongs to the autochthonous bacterial flora of warm estuarine waters. It can cause life-threatening extraintestinal disease in persons who have underlying illness and who consume raw shellfish or contact wounds with estuarine water. Currently, very little is known about genetic diversity within this species. In this report, we describe high-level variation in restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles among 53 clinical and 78 environmental isolates, as determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. In contrast, ribotype profiles showed greater similarity. When combined ribotype profiles of clinical and environmental isolates were analyzed, four predominant clusters were observed. Interestingly, a low number (16%) of clinical isolates were found in cluster C, compared with clusters A, B, and D (range, 50 to 83%). In addition, 83% of all Hawaiian isolates were located in a single cluster, indicating a possible relationship between geography and genotype. We also report that spontaneous translucent colonial morphotypes were distinct by both restriction fragment length polymorphism and biochemical profiles, compared with opaque parent strains.

Preclinical immunoprophylactic and immunotherapeutic efficacy of antisera to capsular polysaccharide-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccines of Vibrio vulnificus

Vibrio vulnificus is an oyster-associated bacterial pathogen that causes life-threatening fulminating septicemia and necrotizing wound infections in humans. The capsular polysaccharide of V. vulnificus (VvPS) is critical for virulence. Previously we showed that active immunization of mice with a VvPS-tetanus toxoid (VvPS-TTa) conjugate vaccine conferred significantly higher protection against subsequent lethal challenge than immunization with VvPS alone. In the current study, we examined the utility of immunoprophylaxis or immunotherapy with hyperimmune antisera elicited by VvPS-TTa and VvPS-TTb conjugate vaccines prepared by different synthetic schemes. First we demonstrated that the Ribi adjuvant significantly enhanced the murine antibody response (P < or = 0.02) to both conjugates. Subsequently, high-titered polyclonal antisera were raised to VvPS-TTa and VvPS-TTb conjugate vaccines by using Ribi adjuvant or Freund's adjuvants. Antisera were observed to have protective effects when administered before and after acute lethal infection. All animals receiving prophylactic antisera intraperitoneally 24 h before lethal challenge with homologous carbotype 1 were protected, while 73 to 100% of control mice succumbed. Immunotherapy was also effective, with survival rates of 60 to 73% seen among mice when antisera were administered 2 h after bacterial challenge, at a time when symptoms of infection were already apparent. The protective effect of capsular antiserum appeared to be serotype specific. Antisera to the, carbotype 1 VvPS-TTa vaccine did not confer cross-protection against lethal challenge with carbotype 2 V. vulnificus despite partial structural similarity and a weak serological cross-reaction between the two carbotypes. Immune globulins induced by a potential multivalent VvPS conjugate vaccine composed of clinically prevalent carbotypes may have utility in the management of V. vulnificus infections and deserve further evaluation.

Capsular polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines of carbotype 1 Vibrio vulnificus: construction, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy in a murine model

Vibrio vulnificus causes septicemia and wound infections in immunocompromised humans. The capsular polysaccharide of Vibrio vulnificus (VvPS) is critical for virulence. We synthesized conjugate vaccines of carbotype 1 VvPS under conditions and in formulations suitable for human use. Purified VvPS was conjugated to tetanus toxoid (TT) or to inactivated V. vulnificus cytolysin or elastase by two different schemes. All conjugates elicited elevated anticapsular immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM and antiprotein IgG responses in mice compared with saline placebo. The conjugates prepared through caboxyl activation of VvPS (VvPS-TTa, VvPS-cytolysin, and VvPS-elastase) were more immunogenic than the one prepared through hydroxyl activation (VvPS-TTb). The protective efficacy of conjugated and unconjugated formulations of VvPS and that of protein carriers were evaluated in a mouse septicemia model. Eighty percent of mice actively immunized with VvPS-TTa vaccine survived challenge with carbotype 1 V. vulnificus, while VvPS-cytolysin and VvPS-elastase conjugates conferred 44 and 40% protection, respectively. Control mice immunized with VvPS, cytolysin, or elastase alone, or saline only, showed 70 to 100% mortality. VvPS-TTa vaccine is nontoxic, immunogenic, and protective in mice.

In vivo resuscitation, and virulence towards mice, of viable but nonculturable cells of Vibrio vulnificus

Vibrio vulnificus is an estuarine bacterium responsible for 95% of all seafood-related deaths in the United States. The bacterium occurs naturally in molluscan shellfish, and ingestion of raw oysters is typically the source of human infection. V. vulnificus is also known to enter a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state, wherein the cells are no longer culturable on routine plating media but can be shown to remain viable. Whether or not this human pathogen remains virulent when entering the VBNC state has not been definitively demonstrated. In this study, the VBNC state was induced through a temperature downshift to 5 degrees C, with cells becoming nonculturable (< 0.1 CFU/ml) within 7 days. As they became nonculturable, virulence was determined by employing an iron overload mouse model. At the point of nonculturability (7 days), injections of the diluted microcosm population resulted in death when < 0.04 CFU was inoculated, although > 10(5) cells in the VBNC state were present in the inoculum. Culturable cells of V. vulnificus, with identification confirmed through PCR, were recovered from the blood and peritoneal cavities of mice which had died from injections of cells present in the VBNC state for at least 3 days. Thus, our data suggest that cells of V. vulnificus remain virulent, at least for some time, when present in the VBNC state and are capable of causing fatal infections following in vivo resuscitation. Our studies also indicate, however, that virulence decreases significantly as cells enter the VBNC state, which may account, at least to some extent, for the decrease in infections caused by this bacterium during winter months.

Immunogenicity of Vibrio vulnificus capsular polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein conjugates

Opaque colony morphology has been correlated to Vibrio vulnificus virulence. However, the number of capsular serotypes expressed by virulent isolates is unknown. In an effort to produce anticapsule sera, capsular polysaccharide (CPS) from three opaque V. vulnificus strains was purified and characterized. Purified CPSs were acidic and contained considerable amounts of hexosamine and trace quantities of protein and nucleic acid. CPS purified from strain C7184 was poorly immunogenic for rabbits and mice, since repeated injection produced little detectable anticapsular antibody. To improve immunogenicity, CPS-protein conjugates were prepared from adipic acid hydrazide derivatives of CPS purified from each strain and carbodiimide as a coupling reagent. The immunogenicity of C7184 CPS was enhanced by conjugation to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, since injection into mice elicited production of anticapsular antibodies, the level of which was dependent on the dose and time since initial immunization. Injection of rabbits with CPS-protein conjugates also produced anticapsular antibodies. Staphylococcus aureus cells armed with each of the three anticapsular antibodies coagglutinated only the homologous opaque strain, indicating the existence of at least three capsular types. Further screening of 32 opaque and translucent V. vulnificus isolates revealed only three cross-reacting strains. These results suggest the presence of numerous V. vulnificus capsular types.

Presence of a capsule in Vibrio vulnificus biotype 2 and its relationship to virulence for eels

Strains of Vibrio vulnificus biotype 2, isolated from internal organs of diseased European eels as pure cultures of opaque cells, together with some reference strains from Japanese eels, were used in this study. Spontaneous translucent-phase variants were obtained from the corresponding parent strains and compared for a variety of phenotypic traits related to virulence for eels. The rate of colony dissociation from opaque to translucent cells was higher (around 10(-2)) than that observed for translucent to opaque cells (10(-3) to 10(-4)). Electron microscopy with ruthenium red revealed the presence of a capsule of variable thickness on opaque cells, whereas translucent-type colonies had no observable capsular materials. No differences in plasmid profiles were detected between the two cell types so that plasmids do not seem to be implicated in the mechanism of phase shift of biotype 2 strains. No apparent difference in outer membrane protein and lipopolysaccharide patterns could be observed between the cell types. Both isogenic morphotypes were able to grow in eel serum and minimal medium supplemented with ethylenediamine di(O-hydroxyphenyl-acetic acid) or transferrin. Therefore, the presence of capsule was not required for the acquisition of iron from iron chelators or for resistance to serum bactericidal action. Both morphotypes were highly virulent for elvers, although the 50% lethal dose for translucent cells was higher than that for the corresponding opaque cells. The latter observation, together with the overall data, suggests that the production of capsular materials by biotype 2 of V. vulnificus is not essential for the development of vibriosis in eels, at least when cells are injected intraperitoneally.

Cloning and genetic analysis of the Vibrio vulnificus fur gene and construction of a fur mutant by in vivo marker exchange

Vibrio vulnificus infections have been associated with iron overload and preexisting liver disease. Iron may play a major role in the pathogenesis of V. vulnificus infections. Many virulence genes, as well as genes involved in the transport of iron by bacteria, are regulated by iron, with increased expression under low-iron conditions. In Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae, transcriptional regulation by iron depends on the fur gene. We utilized Southern hybridization under low- and high-stringency conditions with both E. coli and V. cholerae fur gene probes to demonstrate that there are fur-homologous sequences in the DNAs of V. vulnificus, Vibrio fischeri, and Aeromonas sp. but not in the DNAs of the other bacterial species tested. We developed a restriction map and cloned the fur-homologous sequence from V. vulnificus. The hybridizing clone of V. vulnificus chromosomal DNA complemented a V. cholerae fur mutant. DNA sequence analysis confirmed the presence of a 149-amino-acid open reading frame that was 77% homologous to E. coli Fur and 93% homologous to V. cholerae Fur. Primer extension localized a single promoter for the V. vulnificus fur gene. Northern (RNA) blot analysis and beta-galactosidase assays of an operon fusion to lacZ suggested that there was not significant regulation of transcription of V. vulnificus fur by iron or the E. coli Fur protein. We used marker exchange to construct a V. vulnificus fur deletion mutant and confirmed its phenotype by observing overexpression of iron-regulated outer membrane proteins on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The fur deletion mutant of V. vulnificus will be helpful in future studies of the role of iron in V. vulnificus pathogenesis.

Purification and determination of the structure of capsular polysaccharide of Vibrio vulnificus M06-24

Virulence of Vibrio vulnificus has been strongly associated with encapsulation and an opaque colony morphology. Capsular polysaccharide was purified from a whole-cell, phosphate-buffered saline-extracted preparation of the opaque, virulent phase of V. vulnificus M06-24 (M06-24/O) by dialysis, centrifugation, enzymatic digestion, and phenol-chloroform extraction. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis of the purified polysaccharide showed that the polymer was composed of a repeating structure with four sugar residues per repeating subunit: three residues of 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxyhexopyranose in the alpha-gluco configuration (QuiNAc) and an additional residue of 2-acetamido hexouronate in the alpha-galactopyranose configuration (GalNAcA). The complete carbohydrate structure of the polysaccharide was determined by heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography. The 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were completely assigned, and vicinal coupling relationships were used to establish the stereochemistry of each sugar residue, its anomeric configuration, and the positions of the glycosidic linkages. The complete structure is: [----3) QuipNAc alpha-(1----3)-GalpNAcA alpha-(1----3)-QuipNAc alpha-(1----]n QuipNAc alpha-(1----4)-increases The polysaccharide was produced by a translucent phase variant of M06-24 (M06-24/T) but not by a translucent, acapsular transposon mutant (CVD752). Antibodies to the polysaccharide were demonstrable in serum from rabbits inoculated with M06-24/O.

Identification of Vibrio vulnificus O serovars with antilipopolysaccharide monoclonal antibody

A serotyping scheme for Vibrio vulnificus predicated on the detection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigens is proposed. The serovar O typing scheme used to type V. vulnificus employs polyclonal antisera raised in rabbits immunized with heat-killed whole-cell vaccines. Polyclonal typing sera produced in this manner cross-react with heterologous strains. Affinity purification of polyclonal antisera with LPS affinity columns resolved some of these cross-reactions; however, affinity-purified polyclonal antisera still showed cross-reactions that were nonreciprocal. On the basis of the serological patterns that were obtained with affinity-purified polyclonal antisera, V. vulnificus strains were selected as vaccine strains for production of monoclonal antibody. Spleen cells harvested from BALB/c mice immunized with formalin-killed V. vulnificus cells were fused with SP2/O-Ag 14 myeloma cells. Hybridomas were screened by using LPS and whole-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to identify clones secreting LPS-specific antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies identified five LPS serological varieties of V. vulnificus and a single serovar each for Vibrio damsela and Vibrio hollisae. No cross-reactions between V. vulnificus and V. hollisae or V. damsela were observed.

The extracellular cytolysin of Vibrio vulnificus: inactivation and relationship to virulence in mice

The ca. 51-kDa extracellular cytolysin of Vibrio vulnificus has been proposed as a virulence factor. We inactivated the structural gene for cytolysin in fully virulent, clinical V. vulnificus strains by both transposon mutagenesis and marker exchange techniques. Inactivation of the cytolysin did not affect virulence in our mouse models. The 50% lethal dose of cytolysin-negative strains was comparable to that of the cytolysin-positive parent strains after intraperitoneal inoculation with and without iron loading. Similar results were obtained after intradermal injection: cytolysin-positive and -negative strains had the same 50% lethal dose and caused comparable tissue damage. While we cannot say that the cytolysin has no effect on the pathogenesis of V. vulnificus infections, its role appears to be of much less importance than are other factors, such as encapsulation.

Phenotypic evaluation of acapsular transposon mutants of Vibrio vulnificus

Translucent, avirulent spontaneous phase variants of Vibrio vulnificus MO6-24 reverted back to the original opaque, encapsulated phenotype under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. Two translucent, acapsular mutants, which did not show phase variation, were constructed by using the transposon Tn5 IS50L::phoA (TnphoA). Loss of capsule was accompanied by decreases in virulence, hydrophilicity, and serum resistance. The ability to utilize transferrin-bound iron for growth was lost in only one of the two unencapsulated mutants. Our data emphasize the apparent importance of capsule in the virulence of V. vulnificus and indicate that utilization of transferrin-bound iron is independent of encapsulation.

Membrane fatty acid and virulence changes in the viable but nonculturable state of Vibrio vulnificus

The nonculturable state of Vibrio vulnificus and, for comparison, that of Escherichia coli were studied in artificial-seawater microcosms at 5 degrees C. Total cell counts were monitored by acridine orange epifluorescence, metabolic activity by direct viable counts, and culturability by plate counts on selective and nonselective media. Whereas total counts remained constant, plate counts of V. vulnificus suggested nonculturability by day 24. In contrast, direct viable counts indicated significant cell viability throughout 32 days of incubation. As an indication of the metabolic changes that occurred as cells entered the state of nonrecoverability, membrane fatty acid analyses were performed. At the point of nonculturability of V. vulnificus, the major fatty acid species (C16 and C16:1) had decreased 57% from the T0 level, concomitant with the appearance of several short-chain acids. Although the bacteria were still recoverable, a similar trend was observed with E. coli. Electron microscopy of nonculturable V. vulnificus showed that the cells were rounded and reduced in size and contained fewer ribosomes. Mouse infectivity studies conducted with these cells suggested loss of virulence.

Detection of piluslike structures on clinical and environmental isolates of Vibrio vulnificus

Twenty clinical isolates of Vibrio vulnificus were compared with 10 environmental strains by using electron microscopy and agglutination assays with human erythrocytes, guinea pig erythrocytes, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition, the isolates were tested for ability to adhere to the human epithelial cell lines HEp-2 and A549. When examined by electron microscopy, 16 (80%) of the 20 clinical isolates demonstrated the presence of piluslike structures; the composition of the bacterial populations ranged from 0 to 68% piliated cells. In contrast, only 3 (30%) of the 10 environmental isolates were piliated, with a range from 0 to 16% piliated cells. A significant association between the presence of piliated cells and the isolate source was found (P less than 0.05). None of the 30 strains agglutinated erythrocytes or yeast cells. V. vulnificus adherence results obtained with HEp-2 cells showed 10 (50%) of 20 clinical isolates and 0 (0%) of 10 environmental isolates with averages of greater than 10 adherent bacteria per cell, demonstrating a correlation between attachment and the isolate source (P less than 0.05). Selected strains were tested to determine whether methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside, fructose, or alpha-L-(-)-fucose would inhibit bacterial adherence to HEp-2 cells. Multiple patterns of adherence inhibition were observed. Adherence to A549 cells showed 8 (40%) of 20 clinical isolates and 0 (0%) of 10 environmental strains with averages of greater than 10 adherent bacteria per cell. A statistical association between attachment and the isolate source was demonstrated (P less than 0.05). These data suggest that the presence of piluslike structures and the ability to adhere to human epithelial cell lines may be more closely associated with V. vulnificus isolates from clinical specimens than with environmental strains.

Detection of Vibrio vulnificus cytolysin in V. vulnificus-infected mice

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies specific for V. vulnificus cytolysin detected the toxin in an extract of skin lesions and in serum from mice showing local and systemic V. vulnificus disease after subcutaneous injection of the bacterium. The cytolysin also was detected in skin lesions by an indirect immunofluorescence procedure using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Our findings provide direct evidence that the cytolysin is produced in vivo during the development of the disease process, and this observation is consistent with the hypothesis that the toxin is involved in the pathogenesis of V. vulnificus disease.

Role of the protease in the permeability enhancement by Vibrio vulnificus

The protease produced by Vibrio vulnificus enhances vascular permeability through histamine release from mast cells and activation of the plasma kallikrein-kinin system which generates bradykinin when injected into the dorsal skin. V. vulnificus living cells also enhanced vascular permeability within a few hours after the injection into the dorsal skin. The permeability-enhancing activity of living cells was greatly reduced by addition of soybean trypsin inhibitor, a specific inhibitor for plasma kallikrein-kinin system, or anti-protease IgG. Two protease-deficient mutants induced by nitrosoguanidine treatment had only one-tenth permeability-enhancing activity of a wild-type strain. These results indicate that V. vulnificus elaborates the protease in vivo and that the protease elaborated enhances vascular permeability through release of chemical mediators such as histamine and bradykinin and forms edema.

Inhibitory effect of capsular antigen of Vibrio vulnificus on bactericidal activity of human serum

Opaque (Op) and translucent (Tr) colonial variants were isolated from Vibrio vulnificus strains. Op-type variants were more resistant than the isogenic Tr-type variants, but the survival rate of the Op-type variants varied with the strains. Antisera were prepared by immunizing rabbit with whole cells of Op and Tr variants of some strains, in which the difference of the sensitivity between Op and Tr cells was remarkable. Then agglutination tests with their living and heat-killed cells were carried out. The results suggested the presence of capsular antigen in Op cells and its absence in Tr cells, with the exception of the existence of a slight amount of capsular material in Tr variants of strain L-180. The thin capsular layer of Tr cells of strain L-180 was also demonstrated electron microscopically, but the layer was thinner than that of the isogenic Op cells. Results of determination of sugar content in the extracted capsular fraction also showed that Op to Tr transformation was due to loss of capsular antigen of the cells. These results confirmed the morphological studies previously reported which suggested the prevention of host defense system by the capsular material of the vibrio.

Correlation between virulence and colony morphology in Vibrio vulnificus

Of 38 isolates of Vibrio vulnificus examined, all avirulent strains produced only translucent colonies. All virulent strains, with the exception of biogroup 2 (eel pathogens), exhibited both opaque and translucent colonies. Isogenic morphotypes were examined for a variety of phenotypic and virulence traits. Only the ability to utilize transferrin-bound iron and the presence of a surface polysaccharide were found to correlate with colony opacity and virulence.

Detection of anti-Vibrio vulnificus cytolysin antibodies in sera from mice and a human surviving V. vulnificus disease

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a cytolysin neutralization assay were used detect anti-Vibrio vulnificus cytolysin antibodies in sera from mice and a human that survived V. vulnificus disease. The detection of antibodies against the cytolysin indicated that the cytolysin is produced in vivo, and this observation is consistent with the hypothesis that the cytolysin is involved in the pathogenesis of V. vulnificus disease.

Emergence of bactericidal and opsonizing antibody to Vibrio vulnificus following bacterial infection

Virulent isolates of Vibrio vulnificus resist the bactericidal and opsonizing effects of normal human serum, in contrast to environmental isolates, which are highly serum susceptible. Immune responses to bacteremic V. vulnificus infections in human subjects have not been characterized. Serum from a patient who survived sepsis caused by V. vulnificus had substantial bactericidal and opsonizing immunoglobulin G (IgG) for his own bloodstream isolate. Killing was mediated by the classical complement pathway, whereas opsonization was effected by either the classical or the alternative pathway. IgG that reacted strongly with 55-, 58-, and 68-kilodalton outer membrane proteins was present in the patient's convalescent-phase serum but was absent from normal human serum. These findings suggest that humoral immunity to V. vulnificus, mediated by bactericidal and opsonizing antibody, emerges during infection and may be due, in part, to IgG directed against identifiable outer membrane proteins.

Production and partial characterization of an elastolytic protease of Vibrio vulnificus

Conditions are described for the production of large amounts of an extracellular elastolytic protease by Vibrio vulnificus. The yield of enzyme was maximal during the late exponential growth phase and was stable during the stationary growth phase in a medium composed of 2% Proteose Peptone and 1.5% NaCl. The protease has a molecular weight of ca. 50,500 (estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), an isoelectric point of ca. 5.8, and a pH optimum range against azocasein and elastin of pH 7 to 8. The caseinolytic and elastase activities in protease preparations partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation were inseparable by gel filtration, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, and isoelectric focusing. Both activities were deleteriously affected by heat, low pH, heavy-metal ions, chelating agents, reducing agents, sodium cyanide, N-bromosuccinimide, alpha-2-macroglobulin, and phosphoramidon, but were unaffected by various trypsin inhibitors, chymostatin, aprotinin, leupeptin, pepstatin A, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, and N-ethylmaleimide.

Identification of Vibrio vulnificus by indirect immunofluorescence

A rapid, sensitive, and specific indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) procedure is described for identifying Vibrio vulnificus. Reference antisera were prepared by vaccinating rabbits with surface antigen preparations of V. vulnificus, and the antisera were examined for the ability to react with and serologically group 85 isolates of V. vulnificus grown in heart infusion broth, and to detect V. vulnificus in tissue specimens from mice experimentally infected with a virulent isolate of the bacterium. The antisera detected 100% of the V. vulnificus isolates examined and gave false-positive results in approximately 0.9% of 445 IIF tests performed with non-V. vulnificus clinical isolates. V. vulnificus also was detected in frozen tissue sections from infected mice; however, the most easily observed positive results were obtained by examining V. vulnificus from lesion specimens and blood cultured briefly in heart infusion broth. The bacteria in 2-hr-old cultures of local lesions fluoresced brilliantly and were easily detectable. The IIF procedure could be of value in rapidly diagnosing fulminating and potentially fatal human disease caused by V. vulnificus.

Vibrio vulnificus resists phagocytosis in the absence of serum opsonins

Invasive disease caused by Vibrio vulnificus may result partially from resistance to phagocytic host defense mechanisms. The present studies show that V. vulnificus resists phagocytosis by murine peritoneal macrophages in the absence of serum opsonins and extracellular bacterial products, apparently through the anti-phagocytic properties of the bacterial surface.

Purification and characterization of an extracellular cytolysin produced by Vibrio vulnificus

An extracellular cytolytic toxin produced by the halophilic bacterium Vibrio vulnificus was isolated free of detectable contamination with medium constituents and other bacterial products by sequential ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration with Sephadex G-75, hydrophobic interaction chromatography with phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B, and isoelectric focusing in an ethylene glycol density gradient. The cytolysin is a heat-labile, hydrophobic protein that is inhibited by large amounts of cholesterol, is partially inactivated by proteases and trypan blue, has a molecular weight (estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by amino acid analysis) of ca. 56,000, and has an isoelectric point of ca. 7.1. The first 10 amino-terminal amino acid residues of the cytolysin are Gln-Glu-Tyr-Val-Pro-Ile-Val-Glu-Lys-Pro. Lysis of mouse erythrocytes by the purified cytolysin is a multi-hit, at least two-step process consisting of a temperature-independent, toxin-binding step, followed by a temperature-dependent, membrane-perturbation step(s). In addition to possessing cytolytic activity against erythrocytes from 17 animal species and against Chinese hamster ovary cells in tissue culture, the purified cytolysin preparation was lethal for mice (ca. 3 micrograms/kg, intravenous 50% lethal dose) and had vascular permeability factor activity in guinea pig skin.