title: Isolation of Vibrio cholera El Tor Inaba From Lemna minor and Eichhornia crassipens Roots in Veracruz, Mexico.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During epidemic periods, the strain Vibrio cholera El Tor has been isolated from the aquatic macrophyte roots of Eichhornia crassipens and Lemna minor, suggesting that aquatic plants could be environmental reservoirs through either a non-specific association or a commensalism relationship. Therefore, it is important to understand V. cholera reservoirs in order to establish prevention strategies against this pathogen.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our interest was to determine whether V. cholera could be isolated and typified from L. minor and E. crassipens roots.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2004 to 2005, plants were collected from various ecological niches and the roots were used to isolate V. cholera. Standard bacteriological, biochemical and serological tests were used for its typification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In five out of the nine ecological niches explored, we collected either L. minor or E. crassipens, as these specimens cohabited only in two niches. V. cholera was isolated from both L. minor and E. crassipens roots. The isolated V. cholera showed the same biochemical characteristics as the pure V. cholera strain which was used as a control. The isolated V. cholera corresponded to V. cholera O1 El Tor Inaba, which is the same serotype related to the last outbreak in Mexico.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For first time V. cholera El Tor Inaba has been isolated several years after the last emergence of cholera in Mexico. A viable and cultivable V. cholera strain, sourced from freshwater niches in E. crassipens and L. minor roots, suggests the importance of these plants as a permanent aquatic reservoir for these organisms. The monitoring of E. crassipens and L. minor is the responsibility of health institutions in order to evaluate the ongoing risks.
authors.affiliation: Veracruzana University, Universitary zone, Veracruz, Mexico.
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cordoba Aguilar
authors.affiliation: Veracruzana University, Universitary zone, Veracruz, Mexico.
authors.forename: Marisol
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herrera Rivero
authors.affiliation: Veracruzana University, Universitary zone, Veracruz, Mexico.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rubi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, Veracruzana University, Veracruz, Mexico.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Arroyo-Helguera
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, Veracruzana University, Veracruz, Mexico.
authors.forename: Rocio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coutino Rodriguez
keywords: Eichhornia crassipens; Lemnan; Vibrio cholera; Vibrionaceae