CHROMagar™ Vibrio

For Isolation and Detection of Vibrio cholerae, V. vulnificus, and V. parahaemolyticus

CHROMagar™ Vibrio is a selective chromogenic culture medium developed for the direct isolation, differentiation, and presumptive identification of pathogenic Vibrio species, including V. cholerae, V. vulnificus, and V. parahaemolyticus. On this medium, each species presents a distinct colony color, enabling fast, reliable detection and minimizing misidentification—especially when compared to conventional media like TCBS agar.

CHROMagar™ Vibrio is intended for use in clinical, environmental, aquaculture, and seafood quality testing workflows, offering enhanced recovery, faster results, and species-level visual distinction.

Colony Appearance

Performance

Vibrio species are naturally found in marine and estuarine environments and are a significant public health concern, especially in seafood-producing and consuming regions. Key species and their relevance include:

• V. cholerae: The causative agent of cholera; transmitted through contaminated water or food. Cholera remains endemic in many countries and causes outbreaks globally.
• V. parahaemolyticus: Common cause of seafood-related gastroenteritis.
• V. vulnificus: Associated with 94% of fatal Vibrio infections; causes wound infections, septicemia, and is often linked to raw oyster consumption.
• V. alginolyticus: Less pathogenic in humans but a major concern in aquaculture, especially oyster farming.

CHROMagar™ Vibrio addresses the limitations of TCBS agar:

• Differentiates V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus (both sucrose-negative on TCBS)
• Avoids false positives by rendering V. alginolyticus as cream-colored, non-interfering colonies
• Offers higher sensitivity and better recovery rates than TCBS agar

Intended Use

CHROMagar™ Vibrio is intended for the qualitative detection and differentiation of major pathogenic Vibrio species in:

• Clinical specimens (e.g., stool, wound swabs)
• Seafood samples (e.g., shellfish, shrimp, mussels)
• Aquaculture water and sediment
• Environmental surface testing (e.g., processing facilities)

Not intended for diagnosis or treatment guidance. Confirmatory testing (e.g., biochemical, MALDI-TOF, PCR) is recommended for suspect colonies.

Advantages

1. Clear Differentiation by Color
   Enables confident identification of V. cholerae, V. vulnificus, and V. parahaemolyticus, even in mixed cultures.
2. Enhanced Selectivity and Recovery
   Outperforms TCBS agar, with greater specificity and fewer false negatives.
3. Improved Readability
   Chromogenic contrast removes ambiguity seen with pH-based indicators in TCBS.
4. Species-Level Discrimination
   Differentiates sucrose-negative species that appear similar on conventional media.
5. Flexible Format Options
   Available as dehydrated powder (500 g) and prepared media (5 L and 25 L packs).

Test Procedure

1. Sample Type: Clinical, seafood, water, or environmental samples
2. Inoculation: Direct plating or after enrichment in alkaline peptone water
3. Incubation:
   • Temperature: 35–37 °C
   • Time: 18–24 hours
   • Atmosphere: Aerobic
4. Interpretation:
   • Mauve = V. parahaemolyticus
   • Green-blue/turquoise = V. vulnificus, V. cholerae
   • Creamy = V. alginolyticus
   • Further testing required for confirmation

Ordering Information

Availability:

• VB912, VB913-25: Available until 12/31/2025 (To be discontinued) 
  

• Storage: 2–8 °C, sealed and protected from light
• Shelf Life: Up to 24 months from manufacturing
• Prepared Media: Use within validated expiration timeframe

Scientific Publications

• Palamae et al., 2022 – Characterization of V. parahaemolyticus in mussels and its inhibition by natural antimicrobials
• Hammood & Ibrahim, 2022 – Bacterial profiling in fish gut from Tigris River
• Tran Thi Hong To et al., 2020 – Vibrio parahaemolyticus prevalence in aquaculture environments in Vietnam

CHROMagar™ Vibrio offers a highly specific, visually distinct, and easy-to-use solution for the detection and differentiation of key Vibrio pathogens. Ideal for clinical labs, seafood safety testing, environmental monitoring, and aquaculture surveillance, this medium enhances result clarity, improves detection accuracy, and supports timely public health responses.