Sketchy Micro: Vibrio

Question 1

What shape is Vibrio?

Answer 1

Comma-shaped (like Colonel Cholera’s mustache)

Question 2

The classic symptom of cholera is _____________.

Answer 2

rice-water secretions (symbolized by the rice paddies)

Question 3

Vibrio is Gram-_______________.

Answer 3

negative (like the red, comma-shaped raft)

Question 4

True or false: cholera invades the intestinal wall with exotoxin C.

Answer 4

False. It non-invasively attaches to the wall –like the raft attaching to the bank –with fimbriae (symbolized by rope).

Question 5

What does cholera toxin do?

Answer 5

It activates Gs (represented by the tear GaS canisters worn by the soldiers) and increases levels of cAMP which pumps Cl- into the lumen.

Question 6

How is cholera infection treated?

Answer 6

With oral rehydration therapy (represented by the colonel’s water)

Question 7

Vibrio cholera grows best on _________ media.

Answer 7

alkaline (this fact is symbolized by the “BASE camp” map); because of this, V. cholera is said to be acid labile (like the lemon on the table)

Question 8

The other Vibrio species are notable only for the fact that they _______________.

Answer 8

infect seafood (symbolized by the mussels on the colonel’s table)