Toxin detection

Toxin detection in Vibrio cholerae

• Cholera

Isolate from urine, stool, blood, environmental, food, other.

Isolate provided on appropriate culture medium for Vibrio species.

Send as growth on appropriate culture medium or in appropriate transport medium.  Culture vessel should be leak-proof or sealed appropriately.

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

For additional guidance on the transport of infectious substances in other languages, please click on the link below.

http://www.who.int/ihr/capacity-strengthening/infectious-substances/en/

Gastroenteritis, septicemia, infection, other

Completed Enteric Diseases Program requisition form.

N/A

PCR-based identification of genes encoding toxins and virulence factors

ctx –Cholera toxin; causes severe diarrhea; indicative of toxigenic Vibrio spp.

vhlyA – Hemolysin A is a pore-forming exotoxin; widely thought to enhance virulence of V. cholerae (accessory toxin)

rtx  – repeat/accessory toxin; associated with toxin transportation

1. Paton, A.W. and Paton, J. C. 1997. Detection and Characterization of Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia coli by using Multiplex PCR Assays for stx1, stx2, eaeA, Enterohemorrhagic E.coli hlyA, rfb0111, and rfb0157. J. of Clin. Micro. 36: 598 – 602.

 7 calendar days. Note: Turnaround times for routine isolates may be extended during major foodborne outbreak activities or due to limited availability of resources.

Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Vibrio cholerae

Case Definitions for Communicable Diseases under National Surveillance - 2009 - Cholera

For health professionals: Cholera

National Enteric Surveillance Program (NESP)

Cholera