Considering the possibility that invasiveness could be a
neglected factor of virulence in Vibrio fluvialis-linked
enteritis, since a dysenteric form of the disease was seen in
Bangladesh, we studied 12 Brazilian strains of the organism, six
clinical and six environmental, to determine whether they might be
able to enter into HeLa cell monolayers or would carry plasmids
incidentally involved in invasiveness. Four human and two
environmental isolates attached to but did not enter into the cells.
Though five strains harbored plasmids, no relationship was found
between the carriage of these genetic elements and adhesiveness.