Toxin Testing – Cell culture

Cell culture based testing of Vibrio cholerae for Vibrio cytotoxin.

Isolate from urine, stool, blood, environmental, food, other.

Isolate provided on culture medium.

Send as growth on culture medium or in transport medium. Organisms should be sent as cultures.

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

Gastroenteritis, septicemia, infection, other. Upon request, other enteric species may be tested for cytotoxic activity. If no specific organism can be isolated, stool samples can be tested for verotoxin or cytotoxic activity.

Completed Enteric Diseases Program requisition form.

Upon request, other enteric species may be tested for cytotoxic activity. If no specific organism can be isolated, stool samples can be tested for verotoxin or cytotoxic activity.

ctx – Cholera toxin; a major virulence factor; causes severe diarrhea; indicative of toxigenic Vibrio sp.

Cell-culture based testing of Vibrio cholerae.

14 calendar days (unless prior notification that the sample is urgent)

1. Karmali, M.A., M. Petric, C. Lim, P.E. Fleming, G.S. Arbus, and H. Lior. 1985. The association between idiopathic hemolytic uremic syndrome and infection by verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli. J. Infect. Dis. 151:775-782.
2. Donta, S.T., H.W. Moon, and S. C. Whipp. 1974. Detection of heat-labile Escherichia coli enterotoxin with the use of adrenal cells in tissue culture. Science 183:334-336.
3. Johnson WM and H Lior. A new heat-labile cytolethal distending toxin (CLDT) produced by Escherichia coli isolates from clinical material. Micro Path 1988; 4: 103-113.