Improvement in sensitivity of tests for detection of Vibrio cholerae O1 and O139

   Cholera, a major public health burden in developing countries, is caused by two epidemic strains of Vibrio cholera (VC) O1 and O139. Immunochromatographic tests (ICTs) have been developed for both strains for rapid detection in stools to replace the conventional time-consuming culture method. However, the ICTs are so far not sensitive enough to detect the low numbers of bacteria found in carriers, so we have modified the structure of the specific lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to allow for more specific interaction with antibody and thereby increase the sensitivity.