V. vulnificus strains produce an extracellular cytotoxin (cytolysin) that is known to be cytotoxic to a variety of cells, including the erythrocyte, by disrupting the cell membrane.

• 创伤弧菌会分泌一种藉由破坏细胞膜而对许多细胞及红血球具有毒性的细胞溶解毒素，此毒素也会造成血管通透性增加以及小鼠死亡。