Abstract
There were many studies for Vibrio parahaemolyticus since it was discovered by Fujino et al in 1950.
The author has also studied to clarify the properties of this organism, and found that this organism had a toxic component in its thick envelope. The slime layer of the envelope was isolated and purified. The purified fraction was found to be toxic to mice. The LD50 of the toxic fraction by intraperitoneal injection was about 70 mcg per mouse weighing of 15 gms. This toxic fraction which have a peak at 260 m & mu; in optical density was not inactivated with neither trypsin nor RNase, and its toxicity to mice lost by the enzymatic action of DNase. From the physico-chemical examination, the isolated toxic fraction might be almost purified DNA. These results suggest that the envelope substance of Vibrio parahaemolyticus might have a significant role and its toxic component might be DNA of the organism.
