Vibrio parahaemolyticus: suspicion of presence based on aberrant biochemical and morphological features.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus was isolated from a stool specimen of a patient who developed gastroenteritis after ingestion of crab meat. Recognition and identification of this halophilic microorganism was facilitated by the microscopic observation of a darting, vibrant motility in condensate derived from Kligler iron agar and the bizarre morphological aberrations noted in the condensate obtained from Christensen urea agar. Sodium chloride supplementation (1.1%) of biochemical test media revealed the halophilic nature and fermentative capability of the isolate and abolished the aberrent morphology observed in unsupplemented Christensen medium.