Inactivation studies for Vibrio parahaemolyticus TX-2103 (serotype O3:K6) and Vibrio vulnificus MO-624 (clinical isolate) were conducted in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and in inoculated oysters under high-pressure processing conditions. V. parahaemolyticus was more resistant than V. vulnificus in PBS at all pressures and times. A 6-log reduction of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in PBS at 241 MPa required 11 and 5 mm, respectively, which included a 3-mm pressure come-up time. A 4.5-log reduction of V. parahaemolyticus in oysters at 345 MPa required 7.7 mm, which included a 6.7-mm pressure come-up time. More than a 5.4-log reduction of V. vulnificus in oysters at 345 MPa occurred during the 6-mm pressure come-up time. Both V. parahaemolyricus and V. vulnificus in PBS and in oysters were reduced to nondetectable numbers at 586 MPa during the 8- and 7-mm pressure come-up times, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]