Epidemiological study of drug resistant cholera in and around Miraj, India

Abstract

Background: Cholera is an intestinal infection caused by Vibrio cholerae . The hallmark of the disease is profuse secretory diarrhea. Cholera can be endemic, epidemic, or pandemic. Despite all the major advances in research, the condition still remains a challenge to the modern medical world. Objectives: This study was conducted to observe various epidemiological profile of cholera outbreak and to determine the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of isolates . Methods: A descriptive study was conducted from 18th January 2010 to 31st July 2010. All confirmed cases of cholera were included in the present study during the study period. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed by disc diffusion method. Results: Total 63 patients of cholera caused by Vibrio cholerae O1 were admitted in the hospital during the present study; majorities (60.32%) of cases were males and cases were more (79.36%) amongst adults (>15 years). All strains were El Tor. The outbreak started on 18th January 2010, peaked in February and lasted till 24 th July 2010. Detection of V. cholera O1 biotype El Tor serotype Ogawa was 81.25% and rests (18.75%) were serotype Inaba. Clinically all cases (100%) presented with profuse watery diarrhea, 28.57% had vomiting, 20.63% had abdominal cramps while fever was present in 9.53% of cases. Majority of isolates were sensitive to amikacin and cephalexin but resistant to ampicillin and chloramphenicol . Conclusions: Provision of safe drinking water, improving sanitation and strengthening of disease surveillance especially in coordination with local health authorities across the border is necessary to avoid recurrences of cholera.