Vibrio cholerae detection: Traditional assays, novel diagnostic techniques and biosensors

• An overview on traditional and novel technologies for Vibrio cholera detection.
• Culture methods are still the gold standard for V. cholerae, but they are both time-consuming and are of low sensitivity.
• Molecular methods are more sensitive, but are laborious.
• Biosensors have a great potential for field use.

At present cholera remains a major public health problem. It is an acute worldwide diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It affects in particular developing countries where people get infected by ingesting contaminated water and food. In this review, both internationally recognized conventional methods and new technologies in development for V. cholerae detection are reviewed. Currently, culture methods are the “gold standard” in cholera detection. Molecular techniques have a better sensitivity, but they require specific and expensive equipment. There is a need for fast, reliable, easy to use, sensitive, specific systems to use in the field during outbreaks as well as in the laboratory. Several prototype devices have been developed, but their sensitivity and specificity are low. To overcome these problems biosensors could become an attractive and efficient alternative, but they still have to be subjected to some modifications and improvements for their use in the field.