CHOLERA SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS

What are the symptoms of Cholera
Symptoms are

Nausea, vomiting, profuse diarrhea with abdominal cramps.

Stools, which resemble "rice water", contain mucus, epithelial cells, and large number of cholera bacteria.

There is a rapid loss of fluid, electrolytes, which lead to
- profound dehydration
- circulatory collapse


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DIAGNOSIS:
Macroscopic Examination:
Stools resembles "rice water", contains mucus, epithelial cells, and large number of Vibrios.

Microscopic Examination:
Dark field Microscopic examination of stool sample shows rapidly motile Vibrio bacteria.

Cultural Characters:
Enrichment is done in Alkaline Peptone water at pH 8.7 for 6-8 hours incubation.

Typical yellow color colonies appear in Thiosulfate-Citrate-Bile salts-Sucrose (TCBS) agar after 18 hours incubation.

Organisms can be confirmed from culture by staining and examining under microscope.

Specific Tests:
Vibrio cholerae are further identified by slide agglutination tests using anti-O group 1 antiserum and by biochemical reactions.


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