Identification of a DNA methyltransferase gene carried on a pathogenicity island-like element (VPAI) in Vibrio parahaemolyticus and its prevalence among clinical and environmental isolates

A putative virulence-associated DNA methyltransferase (MTase) gene conducted on a novel 22.79-kb pathogenicity island-like element (VPAI) in Vibrio parahaemolyticus is identified. The V. parahaemolyticus MTase gene was shown by PCR to be prevalent (.98%) in pandemic thermostable direct hemolysin gene-positive isolates, which suggests that VPAI might confer unique virulence traits to pandemic strains of V. parahaemolyticus.