The viable but nonculturable state of Vibrio cholerae

Vibrio cholerae is the etiologic agent of cholera that exists in aquatic environment. Unfavourable environment could lead to the dormant state of the microorganism, i.e. the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state. VBNC cells could not be detected by standard culture methods but remain to be virulent, and they could be resuscitated and cause disease through access to an animal host. This paper summaries the VBNC state of Vibrio cholerae from aspects of biological characteristics, detect methods, pathogenicity, transcriptional profile, and emphasizes its significance to public health.