Final answer:
Thiosulfate citrate bile salts sucrose (TCBS) agar is the enrichment medium used to recover Vibrio species, including V. cholerae, from stool samples.
Step-by-step explanation:
The enrichment medium used for the recovery of Vibrio species from stool samples is thiosulfate citrate bile salts sucrose (TCBS) agar. This is a selective and differential medium tailored for Vibrio spp., which are pathogenic bacteria responsible for illnesses such as cholera and gastroenteritis. TCBS agar is effective because it inhibits the growth of most other bacteria while allowing Vibrio species to thrive and form distinctive yellow colonies, owing to their ability to ferment sucrose. The medium's selectivity is provided through bile salts and other inhibitory substances, and its differential properties come from the inclusion of thiosulfate, citrate, and sucrose.
Using TCBS agar can facilitate the differentiation and identification of Vibrio species, including V. cholerae and V. parahemolyticus, from patient stool samples. During the diagnosis of cholera, for instance, a two-stage enrichment culture can be used, including pre-enrichment in a non-selective broth followed by streaking onto TCBS agar for selective growth and identification based on colony color and morphology.