Abstract
A non-pathogenic indicator organism to replace Vibrio cholerae in the routine quality control of TCBS [thiosulfate-citrate-bile salt-sucrose] medium was sought among a large collection of freeze-dried vibrios isolated mostly from environmental sources. One strain, which was consistently more sensitive to inhibition of growth on TCBS medium than strains of V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus, is recommended for this purpose. It has been deposited with, and is available from, the National Collection of Type Cultures as NCTC 11218.