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Susceptibility testing of Vibrio cholerae |
Antimicrobial therapy is helpful, although not essential, in treating cholera patients. Antimicrobial agents reduce the duration of illness, the volume of stool, and the duration of shedding of vibrios
in the feces. When antimicrobial agents are used, it is essential to choose one to which the organism is susceptible. Antimicrobial agents recommended by WHO for treating cholera patients include tetracycline, doxycycline, furazolidone, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, erythromycin, or chloramphenicol. Ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin are also effective. Because antimicrobial resistance has been a growing problem in many parts of the world, the susceptibility of V. cholerae O1 strains to antimicrobial agents should be determined at the beginning of an epidemic and be monitored periodically.
The results from the tetracycline disk should be used to predict susceptibility to doxycycline. At this time there is no in vitro method to accurately determine susceptibility to erythromycin.
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Microscopy:
Gram-negative, curved, non-spore-forming rods. |
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