Stool For Hanging Drop

The Stool For Hanging Drop test is used to detect the presence of Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium responsible for cholera in a stool sample. The test involves analyzing the stool sample under a microscope for motility and characteristic features of the bacteria, thereby assisting in the early diagnosis of cholera and guiding treatment decisions.

Vibrio cholerae (V. cholera) is a gram-negative, comma-shaped bacterium and is the causative agent of cholera, an infectious disease characterized by severe diarrhea and dehydration. Cholera is an extremely dangerous disease transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. It can cause severe acute watery diarrhea. Most people infected with V. cholerae do not develop any symptoms, yet the bacteria are in their feces for 1–10 days after the infection and they shed back into the environment, potentially infecting other people. By detecting Vibrio cholerae early, the test enables prompt treatment, which typically involves rehydration therapy and antibiotic use.

The Stool For Hanging Drop test is done by placing a small amount of stool sample into a drop of saline on a microscope slide. The sample is viewed under the microscope, and characteristic features including motility ("shooting star" like or ‘’Darting Motility’’) of Vibrio cholerae can be recognized. Cholera bacteria exhibit a unique, rapid, and darting motion in a hanging drop preparation, which helps in confirming the presence of cholera infection, thus ensuring prompt treatment to prevent complications such as dehydration.

This test is recommended when individuals present with symptoms like watery diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal cramping, and nausea, often after exposure to contaminated water or food. It is particularly relevant in areas where cholera is endemic or during an outbreak, providing rapid identification of infected individuals and assisting in effective disease management and containment. The test is also useful for people who have been in contact with someone diagnosed with cholera.

Usually, no special preparations are needed for the test. However, it is advised to give a 5g (3g minimum) stool specimen in a leak-proof screw-capped container provided by the laboratory personnel. Do not collect the stool in a matchbox or absorbent material. Also, notify the doctor about any medications or supplements being taken, as these may affect the test results.

Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to the doctor about the specific test results. Narrate the complete medical history to help the doctor correlate the clinical and laboratory findings. The results will help them determine the medical condition and formulate a treatment plan.