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Laboratory Techniques Used to Maintain and Differentiate Biotypes of Vibrio cholerae Clinical and Environmental Isolates
07:58

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[A boy with cholera from India]

A M van Furth1, R D Croughs, L Terpstra

  • 1VU Medisch Centrum, Postbus 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam. am.vfurth@vumc.nl

Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|February 14, 2006
PubMed

Insights

A child contracted cholera after drinking contaminated water during international travel. Prompt medical intervention with intravenous rehydration led to a full recovery within three days.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae.
  • Imported cases of cholera are rare in non-endemic regions like the Netherlands.

Observation:

  • A 7-year-old boy traveling from India presented with severe watery diarrhea and loss of consciousness.
  • Rice water-like stools and comma-shaped, motile, Gram-negative rods were observed.
  • Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor, serotype Inaba, was identified in fecal cultures.

Findings:

  • The patient recovered within three days following intravenous rehydration.
  • The infection was linked to consuming bottled water from New Delhi.
  • Cholera can be fatal due to severe dehydration.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the risk of imported infectious diseases during international travel.
  • Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing cholera effectively.
  • Standard hospital admission protocols are sufficient as cholera is not person-to-person transmissible.

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