title: Evaluation of the multitest medium for rapid presumptive identification of Vibrio cholerae from environmental sources.
abstract: The multitest V. cholerae medium (VC medium) for rapid presumptive identification of Vibrio cholerae was evaluated. On the basis of reactions in the VC medium, 379 strains recovered during a yearlong ecological study in Calcutta were presumptively identified as V. cholerae. Further phenotypic characterization of these strains revealed that the reactions of 371 (97.9%) isolates were consistent with that of V. cholerae. False-positive reactions were exhibited by eight (2.1%) strains, three of which were identified as Vibrio fluvialis biotype 1. By slightly varying the basic formulation of the VC medium, we could eliminate some false-positive reactions. On the basis of the present evaluation, we recommend the routine use of the VC medium.
mesh_terms: D003470:Culture Media; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D010641:Phenotype; D014734:Vibrio cholerae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media