Picture 27
This picture shows Vibrio cholerae in Gram stain.
Vibrio cholerae
Morphology: Gram negative, curved, comma-shaped rods that ferment lactose, is oxidase positive
Route of transmission: Food borne
Investigations: Gram stain, organism cultured on MacConkey's agar and Triple Sugar Iron medium
Diseases:
Cholera (watery diarrhoea in large volumes, 'rice water' stool, and is non-bloody)
Treatment:
Antibiotics are not necessary to achieve cure but the use of an antibiotic would diminish the volume of fluid loss.
Treatment consists of fluid and electrolyte replacement. WHO prepares oral rehydration solutions (WHO ORS) which consists of a sachet of solute consisting of 90 mmol/L Na+, 20 mmol/L K+, 80 mmol/L Cl-, 10 mmol/L citrate and 111 mmol/L glucose when mixed with 1 L of water.