Isolating non-O1/non-O39 Vibrio cholerae from Chironomus transvaalensis larvae and exuviae collected from polluted areas in Lake Manzala, Egypt

Abstract

Vibrio cholerae is a waterborne bacterium inhabiting the aquatic ecosystem. Faecal contamination of water resources, represents modes of dissemination of the bacteria and thus the disease. This study is reporting an association between V. cholerae and chironomids larvae and exuviae, collected from Lake Manzala. The collection sites were chosen to cover the southern sector of the lake that is reportedly characterized by industrial, agricultural and domestic pollution. The only identified species was Chironomus transvaalensis, an East African species. The isolation of V. cholerae was carried out according to the standard microbiological methods, and followed by 16S rRNA sequence analysis. Non-O1/non-O39 V. cholerae was found to be present in all of the examined C. transvaalensis larvae and exuviae. These findings further support the use of chironomids as a monitoring agent of V. cholerae.