These are Gram-negative, non-sporing non-acid fast rods, which may be straight or curved. They are generally motile with polar flagellae in liquid media but may have peritrichous flagellae on solid media. Some Vibrio species have a sheathed polar flagellum. They can grow in the presence or absence of oxygen and are catalase- and oxidase-positive. They may produce acid and/or gas from the usual carbohydrates. There are currently four genera accepted in the family. The genus Vibrio is the type genus. The other genera are Aeromonas, Plesiomonas and Photobacterium. The GC content of the DNA is 38-63 mol%.

Genera

Vibrio: There are currently many species recognized within this genus with V. cholerae as the type species. The other reconized species include V. alginolyticus, V. damsela, V. fluvialis, V. furnissii, V. hollisae, V. metschnikovii, V. mimicus, V. parahemolyticus and V. vulnificus. Many strains can cause human infection. They tend to have a sheathed polar flagellum. Na+ stimulates their growth or may even be required and they are sensitive to the vibriostatic compound 0129. They produce lipase and ferment D-mannitol. The GC content of the DNA is 38-51 mol%.

Aeromonas:

Plesiomonas:

Photobacterium:

Species Profiles

V. cholerae

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