a question about vibrio cholerae

hi
im looking for some help. we are working on isolation and identification and biochemical characterization of Vibrio cholera . we would approciate any comment . thanks alot in advance .


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h pardis2006 <[Only registered users see links. ]> writes:

h pardis2006 <[Only registered users see links. ]> writes:


My comment is that if you have to be asking a question like this in
this forum you should probably not be working yet with a dangerous
pathogen. Step one: learn to spell the scientific name. ASM just
published a new book on the Vibrios, which would be a good place to
start. [Only registered users see links. ]

Pick up a copy of this:
Biological Safety: Principles and Practices, 4th Edition Author:
Editors: Diane O. Fleming, Biosafety Consultant; Debra L. Hunt, Duke
University Health System Book ISBN or Item Number: 1-55581-339-9

while you are there.

Isolating Vibrios is basic medical microbiology. Like Tom Knight said, if
you're not familiar with the genus, you have some serious reading and media
making to do.

What types of specimens are you using to isolate this organism? I have
worked in microbiology for nearly 30 years and have only heard of this bug
being isolated in our area (not an endemic area by any means) once in thirty
years. If you're in Indiana your climate is similar to mine, as I'm in Ohio.
You would need fecal specimens from outbreak or endemic areas.

There are other Vibrios around also (V. parahemolytics and V. vulnificus).

[Only registered users see links. ]

Vibrio usually occurs in areas where there is salt water. You need special
media, TCBS, to isolate it out of feces, assuming you even HAVE fecal
specimens that have it.

[Only registered users see links. ]

All CAP accredited laboratories are required to have this media available if
the doctor is suspicious of a patient contracting Vibrios.

In 2004, the CDC only had EIGHT isolates in the US.

[Only registered users see links. ]

Half of the patients acquired this bug overseas. The others got it from
eating oysters in Georgia and Alabama. One third of the patients from
overseas died of their illness.

I certainly hope you know what type of pathogen you're working with when you
mess with this bug. V. cholerae causes death by MASSIVE dehydration - most
of your bodily fluids just come out of your anus. They measure this by
putting patients on cholera cots (rubber cots with holes underneath to catch
the diarrhea in buckets so they can measure it) and try to infuse you as
fast as it's coming out. You essentially die of shock. I saw a film of an
Indian outbreak back in 1970 when I took a pathogenic microbiology course in
college. It's images were horrifying. People literally dried up. They could
grab a handful of skin from their abdomen and it would just stand up and
slowly sink back down, as there was no fluid in the cells.

I've worked in clinical micro for nearly thirty years and wouldn't
particularly want to work with this bug. Messing with it casually in a
college laboratory is asking for trouble - sorry. Hopefully you have
biosafety cabinets to work under, and you wear gowns and gloves when working
with this.

Judy Dilworth, M.T. (ASCP)
Microbiology

"h pardis2006" <[Only registered users see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered users see links. ] o.net...

hi judy
very good post to read - abt Vibrio
i started to pursue master's in microbiology this semester and i'll start
working in a QC microbiology lab soon (my first job in a biological/micro
field). it's amazing to read about and learn many different pathogens.
thanks for the links - i'd love to browse thru them.
You mentioned pathogenic microbiology course - i'm looking forward to that
one in the coming semesters.

take care

Sharad

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"JEDilworth" <[Only registered users see links. ]> wrote in message
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