[Studies on the physiopathology of cholera in Bari]

During a small epidemic of cholera in South Italy in summer of 1973, the infection showed some peculiarities and differences in comparison with cholera classic picture of Asiatic areas. In this paper epidemiological, pathogenetic, clinical and biochemical data of patients admitted to the Institute of Infectious Diseases of Bari are reported. The age of the majority of patients (over 50) is an important factor for understanding cause of infection; but also preexistent basal diseases are responsible of severe course of infection. In fact, in spite of low mortality (2/70), in many cases the course of disease has been complicated by metabolic disorders. Also cardio-vascular conditions have influenced course of infection. The Authors discuss the causes of this atypic behaviour of cholera in South Italy.