Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of Vibrio Cholerae Serotypes in Juba, South Sudan

Abstract

Cholera incidences are escalating in previously non-endemic zones. The situation is exacerbated by defective epidemiological surveillance systems as well as inadequate drug resistance profiling of Vibrio cholerae serotypes. This study assessed prevalence of V. cholerae serotypes and their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles in Juba, South Sudan. A cross-sectional laboratory-based experimental study was conducted on 109 consenting participants. Stool samples were collected and tested for V. cholerae using both conventional stool culture and serological approaches to determine the serotypes present. The latter was undertaken using both polyvalent and monovalent antisera. In addition antimicrobial susceptibility profiling was conducted on study samples to determine drug sensitivity pattern. Demographic information showed that 70.6% (n=24) of all V. cholerae infections were among males aged (26-30 yrs; 32.4%). Of the total 109 stool samples only 31.2 % (n=34) were positive for V. cholerae; Inaba serotype. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern revealed that V. cholerae was most sensitive to ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and tetracycline antibiotics. Conversely, V. cholerae demonstrated highest resistance against nalidixic acid. Findings generated from the study inform on optimal selection of antibiotics for management of cholera while also providing up to date epidemiological information on V. cholerae serotypes present in Juba, Southern Sudan.