Vibrio isolates from cases of acute diarrhea and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera is known to cause outbreaks. It is crucial to identify these outbreaks and prevent transmission. Cases of acute diarrhea should be recognized promptly in order to prevent fatal outcome, with rationale use of antibiotics. This study was done to evaluate the burden of cholera cases and to determine their antibiotic sensitivity pattern. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Microbiology in a tertiary care hospital in North India. The stool samples received in the laboratory were processed by standard microbiological techniques for identification of V. cholerae. Serological confirmation was done and antibiotic sensitivity pattern was detected by Kirby Bauers disk diffusion method. Results: V. cholerae was isolated in 28 out of 1567 samples. Serotyping confirmed 68% of the cases belonging to V. cholerae 01 and 32% were V. cholerae 0139 serotype. The organism showed sensitivity to tetracycline, gentamycin, Amikacin and Norfloxacin. Resistant drugs included ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole. Monsoon season showed an increased prevalence of cases. Conclusions: Our study revealed an increase in number of cases during the monsoon season, implying lack of sanitary conditions. V. cholerae 01 Ogawa serotype was the predominant strain. Rehydration therapy is the gold standard in the treatment of cholera, and cautious use of antibiotics should be encouraged, with emerging resistance seen for ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole. Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, cholera, diarrhea, India, vibrio cholerae.