Oxoid Limited has extended the Oxoid range of products for the growth, isolation and identification of Vibrio cholerae and other Vibrio species to include Alkaline Peptone Water (CM1028).
This liquid medium is recommended for the enrichment of Vibrio species from clinical samples or for use in the aHanging Drop' method of identification.
Some clinical samples may contain low levels of the bacterium. Pre-enrichment in Alkaline Peptone Water allows Vibrio species to grow to detectable levels prior to presumptive identification and plating on a suitable culture medium, such as TCBS (CM0333) or Blood Agar.
The 0.5percent (w/v) sodium chloride in Alkaline Peptone Water promotes the growth of
V. cholerae, while its alkalinity inhibits most unwanted background flora.
Alkaline Peptone Water can also be used for the direct microscopic examination of samples using the aHanging Drop' method. Suspended samples are examined under the microscope for darting motility characteristic of Vibrio species. Immobilisation of the cells on addition of V. cholerae antiserum provides a presumptive identification.
Oxoid Alkaline Peptone Water complies with the formulation recommended for the isolation of Vibrio species in recognised international standards.
Twelve species of Vibrio have been incriminated in gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal diseases in man, the most important of which is Vibrio cholerae. Vibrio cholerae O1 can survive on a variety of foodstuffs for up to five days at ambient temperature and for up to
10 days at 510°C1. It can also survive freezing. Disease is spread through contaminated water and food. Consumption of raw, improperly cooked or cooked, re-contaminated shellfish may lead to infection2. Diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and fever are the predominant symptoms. www.oxoid.com
