Vibrio cholerae Infections

Abstract

To the Editor.— The article entitled "Cholera on the Texas Gulf Coast" (1982;247:1598) failed to make the critical distinction between Vibrio cholerae 01, the cause of epidemic cholera, and non-01 V cholerae , which, until recently, was included in a poorly defined category referred to as nonagglutinating vibrios or non-cholera vibrios. Although these two organisms are biochemically identical and differ serologically only in their ability to agglutinate in O-group 1 antiserum, they should be distinguished because they have different clinical, pathogenic, and epidemiologic characteristics. Clinically, both organisms may produce severe, watery diarrhea. However, unlike most cholera cases, persons with non-01 V cholerae diarrhea may have fever and have blood in their stools. 1 Non-01 V cholerae is also associated with infection at extraintestinal sites, eg, the blood, ear, wounds, and the CNS, while V cholerae 01 infects only the gastrointestinal or biliary tract. 2 Both organisms may cause diarrhea by producing