Non-O1 Vibrio cholerae in Shellfish, Sediment and Waters of the U.S. Gulf Coast

Abstract
In a study conducted throughout U.S. Gulf Coastal waters, Vibrio cholerae non-O1 was isolated more frequently from water samples than from shellfish or sediment samples. Frequency of V. cholerae recovery was directly related to water temperature and inversely related to salinity. The presence of V. cholerae was not adequately indicated by the fecal coliform standards for shellfish-growing waters and market shellfish as established by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. Although all cultures tested by the Y-1 mouse adrenal cell assay or by radioimmunoassay for production of a cholera toxin-like toxin were negative, 4 of 13 isolates caused diarrhea in the infant rabbit.