Rapid Identification of Vibrio Cholerae by Darkfield Microscopy.

This article describes a rapid, simple and reproducible method for detecting Vibrio cholerae in diarrhoeal patients. The method involves darkfield examination of a liquid stool specimen or a rectal swab immersed in broth and immobilization of V. cholerae by the addition of specific vibrio antisera. The authors state that in 80% of cases a definitive diagnosis is available within five minutes. There is no need for elaborate equipment or long training of technicians and the method is easily performed by one person in the field.