ObjectiveTo establish a mouse infection model for evaluating the virulence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Methods 4-5-week old female Balb/c mice were monitored for symptoms and lethality after being infected intraperitoneally with Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacterial suspension. ResultsThe survival rate of mice after i.p. infection with a highly virulent RIMD2210633 strain (10⁷CFU) cultivated in a high salt medium (2% NaCl) was 20-30%, while that with environmental non-virulent S251 strain was 100%. ConclusionsWe have successfully established a mouse infection model using the RIMD2210633 strain. This mouse model is suitable for evaluating the Vibrio parahaemolyticus virulence, and is used to compare the virulence of highly virulent and environmental non-virulent strains cultured in medium at different salt concentrations.