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Diagnosis of cholera
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Cholera is diagnosed on the basis of clinical picture, epidemiological situation and laboratory results. Bacteriological method is crucial: microscopy of biomaterial preparations (stool, vomit, etc.) and seeding the material on the accumulation medium (peptone water, alkaline agar). Further studies are carried out according to the instructions. Express laboratory methods are used for accelerated laboratory diagnosis , which have only an approximate value.
The method of Poleva- Ermolieva consists in sowing the material in three test tubes:
- in the 1st - 1% peptone water;
- in the 2nd - 1% peptone water and agglutinating cholera O-serum;
- in the 3rd - 1% peptone water with 0.5% soluble starch.
After 3-4 hours of incubation in the 2nd test tube in the presence of cholera vibrios, agglutination occurs, starch decomposes in the 3rd tube; When the Lugol solution is added after 6 hours, there is no blue staining.
Serological methods of research aimed at the detection of specific antibodies in the blood are additional and provide an opportunity to identify those who are ill, and also to judge the intensity of immunity in the vaccinated. In practical work, the agglutination reaction, the detection reaction of vibriocidal antibodies, as well as early IgM antibodies by ELISA are most often used.
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