Description
This method is applicable to detection and enumeration of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio alginolyticus in foods. These Vibrio bacteria pathogenic to man may occur in foods as a result of faecal contamination or contamination from aquatic sources. Their detection may be called for in the microbiological control of foods, especially shellfish, crayfish and fish and in microbiological investigations in connection with disease outbreaks. For the detection of the bacteria known amounts of the food are inoculated into a liquid selective medium. After incubation, samples are plated on a solid selective medium. Suspect colonies are subjected to further biochemical examinations. In addition, a quantitative determination can be performed from suspected foods by direct inoculation of known amounts to a selective solid medium.