Cholera

• What organism type is cholera?

  Gram negative, comma shaped bacterium
• How is cholera transmitted?

  • human reservoir
  • faecal-oral route
  • contaminated water or food
• How does cholera affect the body?

  • produces a potent toxin in the small intestine
  • affects chloride channel proteins, leading to loss of Cl-, water, Na+, K+ and HCO3- in the lumen
  • leads to watery diarrhoea
  • causes dehydration and a drop in blood pressure
• How can the spread of cholera be prevented?

  • vaccine
  • clean water (treating it)
  • good hygiene: washing hands with soap after defecation and before handling food
• How can cholera be treated?


  • rehydration
  • electrolyte replacement
  • single dose of antibiotics
  • vaccine provides temporary protection