Filamentous Phage Associated with Recent Pandemic Strains of<i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i>

Abstract

A group of pandemic strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus has recently appeared in Asia and North America. We demonstrate that a filamentous phage is specifically associated with the pandemic V. parahaemolyticus strains. An open reading frame unique to the phage is a useful genetic marker to identify these strains.