Effect of diluents on the enumeration of Vibrio vulnificus

Peptone (0.1%) solution containing 3% NaCl (PS) was a more suitable diluent than phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution for the enumeration of Vibrio vulnificus in both broth cultures and oyster homogenates. PBS caused significant underestimation of the viable population of the species by plate counts on either selective or non-selective media. Dilution in PS is recommended in methods for the enumeration of V. vulnificus.