Vibriocine production in the cholera and El Tor vibrios

Abstract

Various tests have been developed to differentiate Vibrio cholerae and V. El Tor, since the latter was formerly considered to be of little clinical importance. More recently, however, it has become evident that these two organisms can produce an identical disease. Consequently, it is of interest to detect similarities between them. In the present report, a method for the detection of bacteriocine ("vibriocine") activity of V. cholerae and V. El Tor is described. The production of vibriocine appears to be a common characteristic of these two organisms, and the results of testing eight V. cholerae and eight V. El Tor strains indicates that there is a close relationship between them.