Persistence of cholera in the United States

In 1973, 1978, and 1981, cases of cholera were acquired along the Gulf Coast of the United States. The isolates from all of the cases were toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O-group 1, biotype El Tor, serotype Inaba, hemolytic, and of the same phage sensitivity pattern, and all had the same restriction endon...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 32; no. 4; p. 812
Main Authors:	Shandera, W X, Hafkin, B, Martin, D L, Taylor, J P, Maserang, D L, Wells, J G, Kelly, M, Ghandi, K, Kaper, J B, Lee, J V, Blake, P A
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-07-1983
Subjects:	Adult Aged Cholera - epidemiology Cholera - microbiology Humans Male United States United States
Online Access:	Get more information
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Summary:	In 1973, 1978, and 1981, cases of cholera were acquired along the Gulf Coast of the United States. The isolates from all of the cases were toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O-group 1, biotype El Tor, serotype Inaba, hemolytic, and of the same phage sensitivity pattern, and all had the same restriction endonuclease pattern by molecular genetic analysis. The strain from one of the two 1981 cases differed from the others in having a small plasmid and a negative Voges-Proskauer reaction. Multiple importations, chronic carriers, and continuous occurrence of undetected cases are unlikely explanations for these findings, which suggest that toxigenic V. cholerae 01 can multiply and persist for years in some environments, making eradication of cholera a formidable task.
ISSN:	0002-9637
DOI:	10.4269/ajtmh.1983.32.812