Isolation and characterization of a Vibrio vulnificus mutant deficient in both extracellular metalloprotease and cytolysin

We isolated a Vibrio vulnificus mutant that was deficient in both metallopr otease and cytolysin by allelic exchange. The virulence of this mutant in m ice and its cytotoxicity for HEp-2 cells were comparable to those of the wi ld-type strain, indicating that neither factor was essential for these prop erties. The cytolysin, but not the protease, seemed to be important for cau sing damage in the alimentary tract of the mice.