Clinical Significance

The virulence factors of Vibrio cholerae are the toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP)
and the cholera toxin (CT). TCP is required for colonization of the host gut
mucosal layer, where CT is released and penetrates through the gastro
endothelial wall, resulting in watery diarrhea. V. cholerae biofilm
development protects and transports the germs to a variety of habitats,
including humans and aquatic reservoirs. Because of its high infectious dose,
simplicity of genetic modification, and quick replication period. V. cholerae
is employed as a model organism to research pathogenicity. It can also be used
to examine chemical signaling, such as cell-to-cell communication via
quorum sensing and cyclic dinucleotide signaling.

Reference:

Tille, Patricia M. Bailey & Scott’s Diagnostic Microbiology. 14th ed., St. Louis,

Missouri, Elsevier, 2017, pp. 399–404.