Association of Vibrio cholerae O1 with the cyanobacterium, Anabaena sp., elucidated by polymerase chain reaction and transmission electron microscopy

M. S. Islam, Z. Rahim, M. J. Alam, S. Begum, S. M. Moniruzzaman, A. Umeda, K. Amako, M. J. Albert, R. B. Sack, A. Huq, R. R. Colwell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

It has been hypothesized that Vibrio cholerae is an autochthonous flora of the estuarine and brackish water environment. Zooplankton and phytoplankton have been considered as possible reservoirs. The present study was carried out in microcosms to confirm the role of a cyanobacterium, Anabaena sp., as a reservoir of V. cholerae O1 using culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunoelectron microscopy. Survival of culturable V. cholerae in microcosms was monitored by using tellurite taurocholate gelatin agar. Culturable V. cholerae were detected for up to 1 h in association with Anabaena sp. from a microcosm. However, viable but nonculturable (VBNC) V. cholerae O1 were detected for up to 25 months using PCR and immunoelectron microscopy. Results also showed that VBNC V. cholerae can multiply and maintain their progeny in the mucilaginous sheath of Anabaena sp. This is the first time that PCR and immuno-electron microscopy have been used to detect nonculturable V. cholerae in association with Anabaena sp. This study further clarifies the role of Anabaena sp. as a possible reservoir of cholera.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)36-40
Number of pages5
JournalTransactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume93
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anabaena
  • Cholera
  • Immunoelectron microscopy
  • Polymerase chain reaction
  • Reservoirs
  • Vibrio cholerae

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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