RAPID IDENTIFICATION OF CHOLERA VIBRIOS WITH FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY

Abstract

By a combination of selective enrichment and fluorescent antibody techniques, a method has been devised which facilitates the rapid recognition and serological identification of small numbers of cholera vibrios (Vibrio comma) in artificially contaminated human stool suspensions. This procedure minimizes the nonspecific reactions encountered in the direct examination of stool specimens by the fluorescent antibody technique. The time required to establish a diagnosis is reduced to a total of from less than 6 to 9 hours depending on the initial population of cholera vibrios in the infected specimen, and large numbers of specimens may be handled with facility.