A Bacteriological Study of Vibrio cholerae Isolated from Rural Tertiary Care Hospital of Loni, Western Maharashtra

Aim: Cholera is endemic in many parts of India and a major public health problem. The present study was carried out with the aims to understand biotype, serotype, phage type and drug resistance of Vibrio cholerae isolates obtained at a rural tertiary care hospital in Loni.

Study Design: Descriptive retrospective study was carried out to study V. cholerae isolates from 544 faecal specimens of patients with acute gastroenteritis.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted during 2009-2012 at Rural Medical College of Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni, District Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India.

Methods: A total of 28 isolates of V. cholerae were included in the study. V. cholerae was identified by standard microbiological procedures. Biotyping, serotyping and phage typing was done. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed by Kirby- Bauer disc diffusion method.

Results: V. cholerae strains were isolated from 28 faecal specimens. All the isolates were identified as V. cholerae O1 biotype El Tor serotype Ogawa and phage 27 was the predominant type. Male: Female ratio was 1:1.5 and high incidence was seen in 0-10 age group (35.71%). Maximal occurrence in monsoon season was recorded. All the isolates were resistant to co-trimoxazole, nalidixic acid and ampicillin. However maximum sensitivity was observed to norfloxacin (71.42%) followed by gentamycin (67.85%) and chloramphenicol (28.57%).

Conclusion: A continuous surveillance for V. cholerae is required with respect to changing epidemiology and emergence of antibiotic resistance strains. The source and spread of infection should be investigated to decide the proper management strategies. Additionally, quality of water and status of sanitation should be monitored.