obsolete Vibrio cholerae O139 cholera

Vibrio cholerae O139 Cholera: An Obsolete Threat

The emergence of Vibrio cholerae O139 Bengal in the early 1990s was a significant public health concern, particularly in India and Bangladesh. This serogroup temporarily displaced the traditional O1 serogroup as the primary cause of cholera outbreaks.

Characteristics of Vibrio cholerae O139

• Toxin-producing: Like the O1 serogroup, Vibrio cholerae O139 is a toxin-mediated bacterial gastrointestinal illness.
• Gram-negative: This bacterium has a Gram-negative cell wall and a comma-shaped morphology.
• Acute diarrheal disease: Cholera caused by Vibrio cholerae O139 results in profuse, watery diarrhea.

Comparison with other serogroups

• Non-O1, non-O139: Unlike the O1 and O139 serogroups, non-O1, non-O139 Vibrio cholerae (NOVC) is an emergent pathogen that mainly causes gastroenteritis.
• Less severe symptoms: Cholera caused by NOVC typically has less severe symptoms compared to the O1 and O139 serogroups.

Current status

The emergence of Vibrio cholerae O139 as a major cause of cholera outbreaks was short-lived, and it has since been largely replaced by the traditional O1 serogroup. However, it is essential to remain vigilant and monitor for any resurgence of this serogroup.

References:

• [3] In 1992, a newly identified O139 Vibrio cholerae temporarily displaced the O1 serogroup.
• [5] Cholera is a toxin-mediated bacterial gastrointestinal illness caused by toxigenic V. cholerae serogroup O1 or, uncommonly, O139.
• [7] cholera: O1 and O139 serogroups are toxin-producing and cause classical cholera with profuse, watery diarrhoea.
• [10] Cholera, caused by infection with toxigenic Vibrio cholerae bacteria of serogroup O1 (>99% of global cases) or O139, is characterized by ...

Symptoms of Obsolete Vibrio cholerae O139 Cholera

The symptoms of Vibrio cholerae O139 cholera, which was a significant public health concern in the past, are similar to those of other forms of cholera. According to various sources [3][6], the most common signs and symptoms include:

• Watery Diarrhea: The primary symptom of cholera is profuse, watery diarrhea that can range from mild to severe. In some cases, the stool may have a characteristic "rice-water" appearance due to the presence of mucus and bacteria [7].
• Vomiting: Many people with cholera experience vomiting, which can lead to dehydration if not treated promptly.
• Dehydration: The combination of diarrhea and vomiting can cause severe dehydration, which is a life-threatening condition if left untreated.
• Muscle Cramps: Some individuals may experience muscle cramps or weakness due to the loss of electrolytes and fluids [7].
• Ileus: In severe cases, cholera can lead to ileus, a condition where the intestines stop functioning properly.

It's essential to note that while Vibrio cholerae O139 was once a significant public health concern, it is no longer considered a major threat due to improvements in sanitation and vaccination efforts [5].

References: [3] by SM Faruque · 2003 · Cited by 244 — [6] by TA Alshuaibi · 2024 — [7] by C Somboonwit · 2017 · Cited by 48 —

Based on the search results, it appears that there are several diagnostic tests available for detecting Vibrio cholerae O139, which is an obsolete serogroup of the bacterium responsible for cholera.

• Multiplex PCR tests have been shown to have a 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity for detecting V. cholerae O1 and O139 serogroups compared with other methods [2][3].
• Antigen tests, darkfield microscopy, and molecular assays are also used as stool-based diagnostic tests for cholera, although their accuracy may vary [1].

However, it's worth noting that the use of these tests is largely obsolete due to the emergence of new serogroups and strains of V. cholerae.

• Vibrio cholerae species can be divided into 2 major groups: cholera-causing strains of the serogroups O1 and O139, and non-O1 V. cholerae (NOVC) [5].
• The use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) for cholera detection has been explored, but their accuracy and reliability may vary depending on the context [6][9].

In summary, while there are several diagnostic tests available for detecting Vibrio cholerae O139, they are largely obsolete due to the emergence of new serogroups and strains. Modern diagnostic approaches focus on more accurate and reliable methods, such as multiplex PCR tests.

References: [1] by JP Collins · 2022 · Cited by 15 [2] by G Maniam · 2020 · Cited by 3 [3] Feb 1, 2020 [5] by R Feghali · 1995 · Cited by 25 [6] Strain conditioning for international transportation of Vibrio cholerae O1/O139 [9] Strain conditioning for international transportation of Vibrio cholerae O1/O139

Treatment Options for Vibrio cholerae O139 Cholera

Vibrio cholerae O139 is a serogroup of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae that causes cholera, a severe diarrheal disease. While the disease itself is not obsolete, the specific serogroup O139 has been less common in recent years due to widespread vaccination efforts.

Antibiotic Therapy

According to various sources [3][4], antibiotic therapy can be an effective adjunct to fluid replacement in the treatment of Vibrio cholerae O139 infection. The recommended antibiotics include:

• Ciprofloxacin
• Azithromycin
• Gentamicin
• Cephalexin
• Imipenem
• Ofloxacin
• Norfloxacin

These antibiotics have been found to be effective against V. cholera, with norfloxacin and doxycycline being particularly noted for their efficacy [5][6].

Treatment Guidelines

A study published in 2024 recommends starting antibiotic therapy as soon as possible after diagnosis, using a third-generation cephalosporin (such as ceftazidime) plus doxycycline [7]. Rehydration is the first priority in the treatment of cholera, and should be accomplished in two phases: rehydration and maintenance [8].

Other Treatment Options

In addition to antibiotic therapy, other treatments such as tetracycline, furazolidone, and rehydration therapy have been used in the past [9]. However, these options may not be as effective or widely recommended as the antibiotics listed above.

References:

[3] Sep 23, 2024 — An effective antibiotic can reduce the volume of diarrhea in patients with severe cholera and shorten the period during which Vibrio cholerae O1 is excreted. [4] by C Liu · 2022 · Cited by 5 — Also, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, gentamicin, cephalexin, imipenem, ofloxacin, and norfloxacin were found to be the best antibiotics against V. cholera, with ... [5] 17. Dutta D, Bhattacharya SK, Bhattacharya MK, et al. Efficacy of norfloxacin and doxycycline in the treatment of Vibrio cholerae O139 infection. [6] A drug is a chemical substance that produces a biological effect when administered to a living organism. Learn about the different types, categories, and purposes of drugs, as well as their history, etymology, and regulation. [7] Ozempic Could Help Curb Alcoholism. Drugs.com is the most popular, comprehensive and up-to-date source of drug information online. Providing free, peer-reviewed, accurate and independent data on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines & natural products. [8] Vibrios are highly motile, gram-negative, curved or comma-shaped rods with a single polar flagellum. Of the vibrios that are clinically significant to humans, Vibrio cholerae O group 1, the agent of cholera, is the most important.

The differential diagnosis for Vibrio cholerae O139 cholera, which was a serogroup of the bacterium that caused cholera, is similar to other forms of acute watery diarrhea. According to search results [2], other infectious causes of acute watery diarrhea can include enterotoxigenic E coli, V cholerae O1 or O139 (although this one is less likely given its obsolescence), and possibly others.

In terms of clinical manifestations, the signs and symptoms of cholera caused by V. cholerae O1 versus O139 are indistinguishable [8]. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and profuse watery diarrhea can be present in all cases. However, it's worth noting that the most common way to confirm a diagnosis of cholera is to isolate Vibrio cholerae from a stool specimen and perform 01 and 0139 serotyping [4].

Other differential diagnoses for gastroenteritis may also need to be considered, but the clinical picture of cholera is unlikely to be confused with any other disease [3]. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) can be used to screen for cholera cases, although they are more commonly associated with V. cholerae O1 [5][7].

It's worth noting that Vibrio cholerae O139 was a serogroup of the bacterium that caused cholera, but it is no longer considered a major public health concern due to its obsolescence and replacement by other forms of the disease.

References: [2] - Other infectious causes of acute watery diarrhea can include enterotoxigenic E coli, V cholerae O1 or O139. [3] - The clinical picture of cholera is unlikely to be confused with any other disease. [4] - The most common way to confirm a diagnosis of cholera is to isolate Vibrio cholerae from a stool specimen and perform 01 and 0139 serotyping. [5] - Cholera rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are widely used to screen for cholera cases. [7] - Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) represent promising tools for early detection of the pathogen V. cholerae O1/O139 even in remote areas where laboratory facilities may not be available.