Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and other vibrios: occurrence and distribution in Chesapeake Bay.

Vibrio cholerae was isolated at several locations in Chesapeake Bay in fall 1976 and spring 1977. Strains induced fluid accumulation in rabbit ileal loops and positive activity in Y-1 adrenal cells. Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and related vibrios show a spatial and temporal distribution characteristic of Vibrio species in an estuary. The Vibrio cholerae strains isolated from Chesapeake Bay represent serotypes other than O-group I--that is, so-called nonagglutinable vibrios--and are not recognized as a serious epidemic threat, although they have caused cholera-like diarrhea sporadically.