Mar. Chowdhury et al., A SIMPLIFIED IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE TECHNIQUE FOR DETECTION OF VIABLE CELLS OF VIBRIO-CHOLERAE O1 AND O139, Journal of microbiological methods, 24(2), 1995, pp. 165-170
A direct fluorescent monoclonal antibody staining method has been deve
loped for rapid detection of viable cells of Vibrio cholerae O1 and O1
39. Microcosm samples containing V. cholerae O1 or O139 serogroup were
incubated with yeast extract in the presence of nalidixic acid, after
which the viable, substrate-responsive cells became enlarged and elon
gated. These cells could be readily detected by staining with fluoresc
ein-labeled, serogroup-specific monoclonal antibody. When this procedu
re is used, viable cells of V. cholerae O1 or O139, depending on the m
onoclonal antibody employed, appear as elongated rods, with a green fl
uorescing periphery under the epifluorescent microscope. The method is
readily adapted for other gram-negative bacterial species, for which
fluorescein-labeled, specific monoclonal antibodies are available.