A study of V. cholerae strains isolated in Bombay

Of 935 faecal samples studied over a period of one year, V. cholerae 01 was isolated from 102 samples (10.9%). All the strains were found to be E1 Tor Ogawa. The strains belonging to the phage types 2 and 4 were encountered in our study, type 2 being the highest (76.5%). The sensitivity pattern of all strains to the commonly used antibiotics was determined. Strains sensitive to gentamicin (92.2%), nalidixic acid (85.3%), kanamycin (83.3%), cotrimoxazole (80.4%) and chloramphenicol (75.5%) were observed. Out of the total, 36.3%, 29.4% and 28.4% of V. cholerae strains were found to be resistant to ampicillin, streptomycin and tetracycline respectively. V. cholerae was isolated throughout the year indicating the endemicity of cholera in Bombay.