MOLECULAR PATHOGENESIS OF VIBRIO VULNIFICUS: VIRULENCE MECHANISMS AND HOST–PATHOGEN INTERACTIONS DURING INFECTION

Joseph Miguel A. Abringe[1].; Ma. Paula V. Bergado[1].; Slyven Dela Cruz[1].; Mandrake Verula[1].; Mary Claire A. Viola[1] and Gecelene C. Estorico[1] [2]

doi:10.5281/zenodo.23320421

Abstract

Vibrio vulnificus is a highly lethal zoonotic marine pathogen that causes life-threatening primary septicemia and
rapid necrotizing wound infections. Pathogenesis is primarily driven by the multifunctional autoprocessing
repeats-in-toxin (MARTX) toxin, whose translocated effector domains—including DUF1, RID, MCF, and
ACD—synergistically disrupt host NAD⁺ homeostasis, degrade Rab GTPases, and collapse the actin cytoskeleton.
MARTX pore-forming activity further cooperates sequentially with phospholipase PlpA to execute rapid necrotic
cell lysis and triggers red blood cell phosphatidylserine exposure that promotes venous thrombosis. Population
genomics demonstrates that severe clinical strains are genetically diverse across phylogenetic lineages and
ecological groups, underscoring the necessity for rapid molecular diagnostics and antivirulence therapies.

Keywords

Vibrio vulnificus, MARTX toxin, exotoxin synergy, primary septicemia, necrotizing fasciitis, population genomics.

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