Early detection of cholera cases and contacts by polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

Amplification of cholera toxin ctx gene in Vibrio cholera by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allowed early detection of cholera cases and contacts when compared to conventional culture methods. All specimens that were positive by PCR (12 out of 74) were also culture positive. Diagnosis of cholera together with detection of toxin producing Vibrio cholerae strains can be achieved on the same day of specimen collection.