Cholera

Question 1

What is the causative agent of cholera?

Answer 1

Vibrio cholera (comma-shaped with a distinctive flagellum)

Question 2

What is the method of transmission for Cholera?

Answer 2

Water-borne (transmitted through contaminated water)

Question 3

What are the clinical features of cholera?

Answer 3

• diarrhoea (‘rice water’)
• vomiting of clear fluid
• skin turns bluish-grey due to extreme loss of fluids
• severe dehydration (low blood pressure, wrinkled hands, sunken eyes, rapid pulse etc)

Question 4

How does the bacteria cause Cholera symptoms?

Answer 4

• bacteria that are not killed by the acid in stomach reach the small intestine
• the bacteria multiply and secrete an enterotoxin - choleragen
• choleragen disrupts the functions of the intestine’s epithelium lining
• as a result, an increased amount of water is released from the cells that line the intestines ➡️ severe diarrhoea

Question 5

Treatment for cholera

Answer 5

• balance fluid intake and fluid losses
• oral rehydration therapy
• give solution of salts and glucose intravenously

Question 6

Diagnosis method of cholera

Answer 6

Organisms can be seen in stool by direct microscopy after gram stain

Question 7

Preventive methods for cholera

Answer 7

• proper disposal and treatment of materials that have come in contact with cholera victims’ faeces
• treat and manage sewage and faecal sludge
• sterilise water for drinking, washing, cooking
• wash hands with soap after using toilet before handling food / eating

Question 8

Are there vaccines available for Cholera?

Answer 8

Yes, there is recently an FDA-approved single-dose oral cholera vaccine called Vaxchora (takes 10 days to confer protection)

• two other oral cholera vaccines: Dukoral & Shanchol (require two doses and takes weeks to confer protection)