Complete genome sequence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus FORC_023 isolated from raw fish storage water

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a Gram-negative halophilic bacterium that causes food-borne gastroenteritis in humans who consume V. parahaemolyticus-contaminated seafood. The FORC 023 strain was isolated from raw fish storage water, containing live fish at a sashimi restaurant. Here, we aimed to sequence and characterize the genome of the FORC 023 strain. The genome of the FORC 023 strain showed two circular chromosomes, which contained 4227 open reading frames (ORFs), 131 tRNA genes and 37 rRNA genes. Although the genome of FORC 023 did not include major virulence genes, such as genes encoding thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) and TDH-related hemolysin (TRH), it contained genes encoding other hemolysins, secretion systems, iron uptake-related proteins and several V. parahaemolyticus islands. The highest average nucleotide identity value was obtained between the FORC 023 strain and UCM-V493 (CP007004-6). Comparative genomic analysis of FORC 023 with UCM-V493 revealed that FORC 023 carried an additional genomic region encoding virulence factors, such as repeats-in-toxin and type II secretion factors. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity testing showed that FORC 023 exhibited a high level of cytotoxicity toward INT-407 human epithelial cells. These results suggested that the FORC 023 strain may be a food-borne pathogen.