Vibrio cholerea (Cholera)
By Zachary Uthoff
Vibrio cholerea (Cholera)
- Shape: Vibrio cholerea are rod-shaped and are either straight or curved. Comma shaped.
- Size: 1.5-2 micrometers long and about 500 nanometers wide.
- Structures:
- Locomotion: Vibrio cholerea has a single flagellum which is used for mobility.
- Facts: V. cholerae has become one of the most dominant pathogens in the world.
How it enters the Body
Vibrio cholera enters the body by injesting contaminated food or water. The bacteria enters the instestine, imbeds itself in the villi of intestinal cells, and releases cholera toxin. After the cholera bacteria infects a section of the villi its hemaglutinin-protease reacts with the toxins so that they release from the villi and allow the cell to move on.
Common Victims
Children are the most common victims of cholera because they have weaker immune systems. Anyone with a weak immune system can be infected with cholera.
Where is it found
- Vibrio cholera is found in unsanitary places.
- Countries with poor sewage and water treatment are most likely to be infected with cholera.
- Cholera is spread through the feces of the infected.
Symptoms
A common symptom is severe diarrhea. Also other symptoms are leg cramps, vomiting, and the face, hands, and feet turning a bluish- black color. The toxin that causes diarrhea is the choleragen (CT). Dehydration is a common effect of cholera. This can lead to death.
Rice Water Diarrhea
Number of Victims each Year
They are about 3-5 million people infected with cholera each year. There are usually 100,000-120,000 deaths from cholera each year.
Treatments
Rehydration is a major treatment for cholera. If oral rehydration isn’t enough then the doctors would have to inject the fluid directly into a vein. Also antibiotics and zinc supplements can be used to treat cholera.