Cl ⁻ Secretion in Colonic Epithelial Cells Induced by the <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i> Hemolytic Toxin Related to Thermostable Direct Hemolysin

Abstract

A hemolytic toxin related to thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH), TDH-related hemolysin (TRH), produced by Kanagawa-phenomenon-negative Vibrio parahaemolyticus is suspected of playing an important, but yet-to-be-elucidated role in diarrhea caused by this organism. In cultured human colonic epithelial cells, TRH increases Cl(-) secretion, followed by elevation of intracellular calcium.