ASSOCIATION OF VIBRIO-CHOLERAE WITH FRESH-WATER AMEBAS

An investigation was undertaken to determine whether Acanthamoeba polyphaga SHI and Naegleria gruberi 1518/1e could affect the survival of various strains of Vibrio cholerae in laboratory microcosms. In microcosms pre-inoculated with trophozoites of amoebae, all six strains of V. cholerae tested survived and multiplied during 24 h. In control microcosms without trophozoites of amoebae, survival of the V. cholerae strains was much decreased. Two strains of V. cholerae were used to determine whether V. cholerae might survive ingestion within amoebae and subsequent encystment. Strain 152 was re-isolated from excysting N. gruberi 1518/1e but not from A. polyphaga SHI. Strain 9112 could not be isolated from cysts of either species of amoebae.