24.3 Bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract  (Page 7/18)

Because V. cholerae is killed by stomach acid, relatively large doses are needed for a few microbial cells to survive to reach the intestines and cause infection. The motile cells travel through the mucous layer of the intestines, where they attach to epithelial cells and release cholera enterotoxin . The toxin is an A-B toxin with activity through adenylate cyclase (see Virulence Factors of Bacterial and Viral Pathogens ). Within the intestinal cell, cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels increase, which activates a chloride channel and results in the release of ions into the intestinal lumen. This increase in osmotic pressure in the lumen leads to water also entering the lumen. As the water and electrolytes leave the body, it causes rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Diarrhea is so profuse that it is often called “rice water stool,” and patients are placed on cots with a hole in them to monitor the fluid loss ( [link] ).

Cholera is diagnosed by taking a stool sample and culturing for Vibrio . The bacteria are oxidase positive and show non-lactose fermentation on MacConkey agar. Gram-negative lactose fermenters will produce red colonies while non-fermenters will produce white/colorless colonies. Gram-positive bacteria will not grow on MacConkey. Lactose fermentation is commonly used for pathogen identification because the normal microbiota generally ferments lactose while pathogens do not. V. cholerae may also be cultured on thiosulfate citrate bile salts sucrose (TCBS) agar, a selective and differential media for Vibrio spp., which produce a distinct yellow colony.

Cholera may be self-limiting and treatment involves rehydration and electrolyte replenishment. Although antibiotics are not typically needed, they can be used for severe or disseminated disease. Tetracyclines are recommended, but doxycycline , erythromycin , orfloxacin , ciprofloxacin , and TMP/SMZ may be used. Recent evidence suggests that azithromycin is also a good first-line antibiotic. Good sanitation—including appropriate sewage treatment, clean supplies for cooking, and purified drinking water—is important to prevent infection ( [link] )

V. cholera is not the only Vibrio species that can cause disease. V. parahemolyticus is associated with consumption of contaminated seafood and causes gastrointestinal illness with signs and symptoms such as watery diarrhea, nausea, fever, chills, and abdominal cramps. The bacteria produce a heat-stable hemolysin , leading to dysentery and possible disseminated disease. It also sometimes causes wound infections. V. parahemolyticus is diagnosed using cultures from blood, stool, or a wound. As with V. cholera , selective medium (especially TCBS agar) works well. Tetracycline and ciprofloxacin can be used to treat severe cases, but antibiotics generally are not needed.