A simple laboratory method for the diagnosis of V. cholerae

Abstract

In many developing countries where cholera occurs, bacteriological facilities at the local level are lacking and either cholera may be unreported or other diarrhoeal diseases may be mistakenly reported as cholera. A simple and practical method, suitable for use in small hospitals and health centres and by field teams of health workers is described. Swab samples are streaked on to various media (TTGA and TCBS were found to be the most satisfactory), incubated overnight at 35 degrees C and read. The characteristics which distinguish Vibrio cholerae colonies from others developing are described. In tests on 309 cholera patients, culture on TTGA gave 100% and on TCBS 96.7% positives.