Question

The bacterium associated with the Kanagawa phenomenon is

• A. Vibrio parahaemolyticus
• B. Vibrio vulnificus
• C. Vibrio harveyi
• D. Vibrio alginolyticus

Hint:

Diagnostic Marine Microbiology: KANAGAWA PHENOMENON on Wagatsuma agar $\rightarrow$ Virulence marker for Vibrio parahaemolyticus (TDH production).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Diagnostic seafood microbiology: pathogenic strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus exhibit the Kanagawa phenomenon (beta-hemolysis of human erythrocytes on Wagatsuma agar) mediated by Thermostable Direct Hemolysin (TDH).
Key Formula or Approach:
\[ \text{Kanagawa Phenomenon Positive (KP+)} \iff \text{Thermostable Direct Hemolysin (TDH gene } tdh^+) \implies \beta\text{-Hemolysis on Wagatsuma Agar} \]

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In seafood safety, foodborne pathogens, and marine microbiology:
- {Vibrio parahaemolyticus (A): A halophilic, Gram-negative marine bacterium and major cause of acute gastroenteritis from consuming raw/under-cooked seafood (oysters, shrimps, fish).
- The Kanagawa Phenomenon: An internationally recognized diagnostic virulence assay developed by Wagatsuma and Sakazaki in Japan.
- Clinical gastroenteritis-causing virulent strains produce Thermostable Direct Hemolysin (TDH), which causes clear $\beta$-hemolysis of human red blood cells on a specialized high-salt medium called Wagatsuma Agar (Kanagawa positive, $\text{KP}^+$).

Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, the bacterium associated with Kanagawa phenomenon is Vibrio parahaemolyticus, matching option (A).