AKI MEDIUM

Description

V. cholerae, the type species of the genus Vibrio, is the causative agent of cholera outbreaks and epidemics. Cholera enterotoxin (CT) is the primary virulence factor of these organisms. Most strains of V. cholerae isolated from foods or environment do not produce choleare toxin and are not considered to be virulent. Various biochemical properties and antigenic types are used to characterize the species. V. mimicus has been associated with diarrhoea following consumption of raw or undercooked seafood. Hence isolates of Vibrio should be tested for the production of CT or CTX gene. AKI medium is used for the serological identification of CT of these organisms in accordance with FDA BAM, 1998. After enrichment plating, screening and confirmation of the toxins can be done by Y-1 mouse adrenal cell assay and immunoassay methods.