Vibrio cholerae is a flagellated gram-negative bacterium from the vibrios genus. Vibrio cholerae is the causative organism for cholera. Characteristics
The name of choleravirions originates their quick motility, with they obtain by their flagella. A series of serotypes of vibrio cholera exists, the most relevant serotype is Vibrio cholera El Tor.PathomechanismAfter adhesion to the intestinal mucosa ensues the production of endotoxin which leads to a permanent activation of adenylat cyclase in the enterocytes. For this reason chloride and other ions are secreted unhindered and water follows due to the osmotic gradient. This in turn leads to rice water diarrhea. This can cause an enormous fluid loss of up to thirty liters per day, whereby life-threatening symptoms of shock may ensue.Source: T.J. Kirn, M.J. Lafferty, C.M.P Sandoe and R.K. Taylor, 2000, "Delineation of pilin domains required for bacterial association into microcolonies and intestinal colonization", Molecular Microbiology, Vol. 35(4):896-910
