Isolation and Identification of Non-O1/Non-O139 Vibrio cholerae in Wild Birds Inhabiting Wetlands in Metropolitan Lima, Peru

During a survey in wetlands from southern Lima, Peru, two non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae isolates were obtained from samples collected from an American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) and a Wren-like Rushbird (Phleocryptes melanops). Vibrio cholerae was identified by amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA, differentially grown on CHROMagar Vibrio media, and confirmed by ompW amplification. Isolates were confirmed to be non-O1/non-O139 serotypes and to lack the ctxA gene as inferred using PCR. Susceptibility to eight antimicrobial agents was assessed, with one isolate being resistant to azithromycin, doxycycline, tetracycline, and furazolidone. Our results indicate the utility of surveillance for V. cholerae in wetlands in the metropolitan Lima area.