NOVC from German coastal regions

Non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae (NOVC) are ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems and are generally classified as nonpathogenic. However, in rare cases they can cause intestinal and extraintestinal infections in human. This ability is associated with various virulence factors. The presence of NOVC in German North Sea and Baltic Sea was observed in previous studies. However, data on virulence characteristics are still scarce. Therefore, this work aimed to investigating the virulence potential of NOVC isolated in these two regions. In total, 34 NOVC strains were collected and subjected to whole genome sequencing. In silico analysis of the pathogenic potential was performed based on the detection of genes involved in colonization and virulence. Associated toxin genes (hlyA, rtxA, chxA and stn), pathogenicity islands Vibrio pathogenicity island 2 (VPI-2) and Vibrio seventh pathogenicity island 2 (VSP-2) and secretion systems (Type II, III and VI secretion system) were observed with varying frequencies. Overall, the genetic virulence profile as well as the phenotypic virulence characteristics of the investigated NOVC from the German North Sea and Baltic Sea suggest potential human pathogenicity.