[Disordered water-mineral metabolism in cholera patients]

Clinical analysis was carried out of El Tor cholera in 100 patients, plasma concentrations of electrolytes of potassium (K) and sodium (Na) were studied as were those of trace elements of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg) and manganese (Mn) in the whole blood before and after rehydration therapy and depending on the extent of dehydration. The results were as follows: the plasma concentration of K and Na was lowered, that of Mg in the whole blood increased in stage III as well as that of Mn in st. I and II of dehydration; the concentration of Fe, Cu was decreased in st. I, II, III, and of Mn in sit. III of dehydration. The activities of transferrin and ceruloplasmin were found to be on the decrease for the duration of the illness. Rehydration promoted the return to normal of water and electrolyte metabolism, haemodynamics, without affecting to any noticeable degree the trace element metabolism.