Vibrio cholerae infection, treatment

Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) is the main cause of TD in Latin America, whereas in Asia it is reported in only 15% of cases. Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) strains are recorded with even less frequency. ETEC is isolated in 0 to 5% of cases. Symptoms of poisoning develop after 16 hours from consumption of contaminated water, salads, cheeses, or meats. The outgrowth of ETEC rods takes place in a patient s gastrointestinal tract, where they produce thermostable and thermolabile toxins that imitate Vibrio cholerae infections. Stimulation of intestinal guanylcyclase and interruption of ion transport leads to watery stools, which do not require medical treatment or only need simple replacement of fluids and salts by means of multielectrolyte solutions. If a co-infection with EIEC strains occurs, the symptoms of enteritis will develop, with the presence of leukocytes, erythrocytes, and mucous in stools due to a cytotoxic influence of bacteria (Butterton and Claderwood, 2001). 

Cholera results from an intestinal infection with the pathogenic bacterium Vibrio choleras that causes a debilitating, and even deadly, diarrhea. Successful treatment of cholera requires effective rehydration with solutions of glucose and salts (Kaper et ai, 1995). Administration of antibiotics decreases the duration of disease (Kaper et a/., 1995) vaccines are only partially effective. Koch, who first described Vibrio cholerae as the causative agent of cholera, suggested that it was a toxin-mediated disease (Koch, 1884). Over a half-century later, the existence of cholera toxin (CT) was demonstrated in cell-free culture filtrates (De, 1959 Dutta eta/., 1959) a decade later, purification of the protein toxin was achieved (Finkelstein and LoSpalluto, 1969). 

Bacterial infections are the other common neglected diseases. They comprise leprosy and trachoma, which are controlled by antibiotic treatments, Buruli ulcer, managed by surgery and antibiotics, cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae living in contaminated drinking water, and for which antibacterials and isotonic fluid replacement therapy are recommended. 

Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes it can be severe. Approximately one in 20 infected persons has severe disease characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. In these persons, rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours. 

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