[Cholera--the current state and perspectives of cholera prevention]

Although more than 40 years have passed since the outbreak of the 7th cholera pandemic, the disease continues to be a threat. The Indian subcontinent, Latin America and many African countries constantly struggle with the disease that still claims thousands of human lives each year. Increasingly, cholera as an imported disease is seen in developed countries. The fight against cholera infection is predominantly focused on prophylaxis, as antibiotics represent only useful additional therapy shortening the duration of the disease and accelerating clearance of the bacilli from the organism. Recently, immunogenic components of the etiological agent causing cholera have been studied intensely, resulting in an effort to construct acellular vaccines. Important immunogenic factors include surface lipopolysaccharides of the cholera-causing agent which play a crucial role in pathogenesis and manifestation of infection due to the pathogen. Thus, these components in particular are pivotal in developing a progressive vaccine against cholera.