Remel™ TCBS Agar

Selectively isolate Vibrio cholerae and other enteropathogenic Vibrio spp. from clinical and non-clinical specimens using Thermo Scientific™ Remel™ TCBS Agar (Dehydrated). In 1963, Kobayashi¹ et al. modified Thiosulfate-Citrate-Bile Salts-Sucrose Agar (TCBS) developed by Nakanishi^,2. It was developed for selective isolation of vibrios which cause cholera, diarrhea, and food poisoning. In 1982, West et al. reported that TCBS Agar could be used for recovery of certain new pathogens such as Vibrio fluvialis and Vibrio vulnificus³.

Vibrio cholerae is a gram-negative bacterium that causes cholera outbreaks and epidemics. Other Vibrio species such as V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, V. mimicus are well known human pathogens. TCBS Agar has a high pH that enhances the recovery of V. cholerae and supresses the growth of other intestinal microorganisms. Coliforms, Proteus, Pseudomonas, and Aeromonas are partially inhibited in this medium. Based on their ability to ferment sucrose, Vibrio spp. produce yellow or green colonies in this medium.

Selectively isolate Vibrio cholerae and other enteropathogenic Vibrio spp. from clinical and non-clinical specimens using TCBS Agar.

• Recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for isolation of Vibrio cholerae⁴
• Recommended by AOAC International (AOAC)⁵
• Selective medium - Oxgall contains a mixture of bile salts which inhibits gram-positive organisms

The medium contains casein and meat peptones that supply nutrients necessary for bacterial growth. Yeast extract is a growth enhancer. Oxgall inhibits gram-positive organisms. Sodium thiosulfate along with ferric citrate detects the production of hydrogen sulfide. Sucrose serves as a source of carbohydrate which is fermented by Vibrio spp. The pH indicator system is made up by bromthymol blue and thymol blue.