Detection, isolation, and identification of Vibrio cholerae from the environment

Microbiological techniques for sampling the aquatic realm have become increasingly sophisticated, especially with advances in molecular biology. These techniques have been used to detect microorganisms that cannot be cultured by conventional bacteriological methods. This has resulted in a deeper and a clearer understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of microorganisms. Important advances have been made in isolation, detection, and identification of Vibrio cholerae over the past decade. The understanding that V. cholerae, like several other pathogenic bacteria, can enter into a state known as "viable but nonculturable" (VBNC) provided important clues on the epidemiology of the pathogen and its ability to cause sudden explosive epidemics at multiple places almost simultaneously. The advances in techniques have also allowed investigators to discern the intricate aspects of the ecology of this pathogen in the aquatic world. In this unit, we present the most accepted methods for the isolation and detection of V. cholerae.