A comparison of thiosulphate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose (TCBS) agar and thiosulphate-chloride-iodide (TCI) agar for the isolation of Vibrio species from estuarine environments.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare a recently described medium, thiosulphate-chloride-iodide (TCI), for the isolation of estuarine vibrios with thiosulphate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose (TCBS).


METHODS
A total of 492 colonies which developed on these media from estuarine water samples taken monthly over a 10-month period were examined.


RESULTS
A much larger number of colonies developed on TCBS than TCI, and minimal taxonomic criteria indicated that a higher percentage (61%) of TCBS colonies could be identified as Vibrio spp. when compared with TCI (46%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that TCBS is a superior medium when compared with TCI for the isolation of Vibrio spp. from estuarine waters. Because of the public health risk presented by V. vulnificus, V. parahaemolyticus, V. cholerae and other vibrios, the selection of the most appropriate medium for their isolation is extremely important.
Pfeffer
C
C
Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
Oliver
J D
JD
D000362:Agar / Q000737:chemistry; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000737:chemistry; D002712:Chlorides / Q000737:chemistry; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D017753:Ecosystem; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007454:Iodides / Q000737:chemistry; D009657:North Carolina; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013395:Sucrose / Q000737:chemistry; D013885:Thiosulfates / Q000737:chemistry; D014733:Vibrio / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014871:Water Microbiology
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D002712:Chlorides; D003470:Culture Media; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007454:Iodides; D013885:Thiosulfates; D019343:Citric Acid; D013395:Sucrose; D000362:Agar