Survival of Vibrio cholerae O139 in Association with Anabaena variabilis in Four Different Microcosoms

Abstract

Investigation was carried out to see the association of Vibrio cholerae O139 with Anabaena variabilis, in four different types of water. Conventional media were used to count culturable bacteria while epi fluorescence microscopy to count the viable but non culturable (VBNC) V. cholerae O139. It was found that the culturable form of V. cholerae O139 found 9 days in the control artificial sea water and 4 days in river water and BOD dilution water. However, in association with A. variabilis, culturable form was found for 6 days in artificial sea water, 4 days in distilled water, 1 day in BOD dilution water, 4 days in river water. The bacterial count of surrounding water decreased inversely with the bacterial count in association with algae. Among these four microcosm water, associations of V. cholerae O139 with algae was higher in artificial sea water. In control water of four microcosms, direct viable count (DVC) gradually decreased with time. In association with algae the DVC increased after some time then reached a peak in 4-8 days depending on the types of water. The epi fluorescence microscopy indicated that V. cholerae O139 survived for more than one month in association with algae. Present study demonstrated that survival of V. cholerae O139 appears to get advantages in association with A. variabilis in different types of water.