CHROMagar™ Vibrio

CHROMagar™ Vibrio is a high-performance chromogenic culture medium designed for the detection, differentiation, and presumptive identification of Vibrio species, including the major human pathogens Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio vulnificus. This medium simplifies Vibrio identification with clear and distinct chromogenic color differentiation, making it an advanced alternative to conventional TCBS (Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salts Sucrose) agar.

Key Features

1. Chromogenic Differentiation:
   • Utilizes chromogenic technology for clear and intense colony colors, enabling easy identification of Vibrio species.
   • Differentiates Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus effectively, which are sucrose-negative on TCBS agar.
2. Practical Design:
   • Vibrio alginolyticus remains colorless, avoiding interference with other Vibrio species during detection.
3. Enhanced Detection:
   • Provides greater recovery rates than TCBS agar, with fewer false negatives.
   • Ensures excellent recovery even when using an enrichment broth.
4. Broad Application:
   • Designed for clinical, foodborne, and environmental applications, particularly in seafood testing and outbreak surveillance.
5. Ease of Use:
   • Simplifies workflow and interpretation with visually distinct colony morphology and colors.

Applications

1. Public Health Surveillance:
   • Detect Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, in water and foodborne outbreaks.
2. Food Safety Testing:
   • Identify pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in seafood, such as oysters, shrimp, and fish.
3. Environmental Monitoring:
   • Screen marine water and oyster farming sites for Vibrio alginolyticus contamination.
4. Clinical Microbiology:
   • Isolate and identify Vibrio species causing wound infections, septicemia, and gastroenteritis.

How It Works

• Chromogenic Differentiation:
  • Each Vibrio species produces a specific colony color, making identification straightforward:
    • Vibrio cholerae: Distinct chromogenic reaction.
    • Vibrio parahaemolyticus: Easily distinguishable from Vibrio vulnificus due to unique colony colors.
    • Vibrio alginolyticus: Remains colorless, ensuring no interference.
• Enhanced Recovery:
  • More effective than TCBS agar for isolating pathogenic Vibrio species, even in challenging samples with low bacterial loads.

Advantages Over TCBS Agar

1. Greater Specificity:
   • Chromogenic differentiation reduces false positives and improves identification accuracy.
2. Enhanced Sensitivity:
   • Higher recovery rates, even without enrichment, minimize the risk of false negatives.
3. Improved Usability:
   • Easier to interpret due to clear, vibrant colony colors, unlike TCBS, which relies on pH-based sucrose fermentation.

Limitations

• Further microbiological testing or molecular confirmation may be required for definitive identification.
• A lack of growth on the medium does not preclude the presence of Vibrio species.

Storage and Stability

• Storage: Store the dehydrated medium at 15–30°C in a dry environment.
• Shelf Life: Refer to product packaging for specific expiration dates.

Why Use CHROMagar™ Vibrio?

1. Public Health Significance:
   • Detects key Vibrio pathogens associated with severe illnesses, including Vibrio cholerae (cholera) and Vibrio vulnificus (high mortality rates).
2. Food Industry Impact:
   • Reduces contamination risks in seafood production and supply chains.
3. Advanced Diagnostics:
   • A powerful tool for improving accuracy and reliability in Vibrio detection compared to traditional methods.

CHROMagar™ Vibrio is a cutting-edge diagnostic medium for detecting Vibrio species in clinical, food, and environmental settings. It offers superior performance in specificity, sensitivity, and usability, making it an essential tool for microbiologists and public health professionals.

Composition