Effect of temperature and suspending vehicle on survival of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus

Four strains of Vibrio vulnificus and two strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus from clinical and environmental sources were examined for their ability to survive storage at 4 and -20°C in shrimp homogenate and at -80°C in shrimp homogenate, fetal bovine serum and dimethyl sulfoxide. Cell counts declined with time at 4 and -20°C but they remained stable after freezing at -80°C. Dimethyl sulfoxide was the superior menstruum at -80°C because it protected against freezing lethality.