Symptoms of the illness include rapid dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and diarrhea. 

Cholera: Signs and Symptoma

The microbial cells move through the mucous layer of the intestines before attaching to epithelial cells and releasing cholera enterotoxin, a A-B toxin associated with adenylate cyclase. The enterotoxin stimulates the increase of cyclic AMP levels, activating chloride channels and releasing ions into the intestinal lumen. An increase in osmotic pressure in the lumen causes water (and electrolytes) to leave the body and enter into the lumen, hence rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Cholera: Virulence Factors

*Vibrio cholerae* is a comma-shaped, gram-negative aquatic bacterium that thrives in highly alkaline environments. It produces a toxin that causes hypersecretion of electrolytes and water in the large intestine, leading to profuse watery diarrhea and severe dehydration.

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GI illness caused by Vibrio cholera, characterized by diarrhea, and associated with poor sanitation, often spread by contaminated food and water

Cholera

A monotrichous flagellum is a singular flagellum typically located at one end (polar) of a bacterial cell. An example of a pathogen with this arrangement is *Vibrio cholerae*, the gram-negative bacterium that causes cholera.

Monotrichous Flagellum

Gammaproteobacteria is the largest and most diverse class of Proteobacteria. This group contains aerobes or facultative anaerobes, many of which are human pathogens. Some Gammaproteobacteria are enteric bacteria, which can be further classified as coliform or noncoliform, with *Escherichia coli* being the most extensively studied species.

Gammaproteobacteria

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Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

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Vibrio species other than cholera that cause disease include:

- Vibrio parahrmolyticus
- Vibrio vulnificus
- Aeromonas hydrophilia
- Plesiomonas shigelloides

Other Vibrio Species that Cause Disease

*Vibrio cholerae*

*E. coli* is a gammaproteobacteria. It is one of the most well studied bacterium and is a model organism used in science laboratories. Some *E. coli* strains can be a pathogen or have a mutalistic relationship with humans. The pathogens can cause diarrhea or in severe cases can cause inflammation of red blood cells and pyelonephritis. 

*Escherichia coli* as the Causative Agent of Pyelonephritis

Pseudomonaceae is a large and diverse family of gram-negative bacteria within the class Gammaproteobacteria that includes the genus *Pseudomonas*.

Pseudomonaceae

*Pseudomonas* is a genus of gram-negative, strictly aerobic, highly motile bacteria within the family Pseudomonaceae that includes pathogens like *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* and environmentally significant species like *Pseudomonas fluorescens* and *Pseudomonas putida*.

Pseudomonas

*Pseudomonas fluorescens* is a fluorescent, glowing bacterium within the genus *Pseudomonas*.

*Pseudomonas fluorescens*

*Pseudomonas putida* is a soil bacterium within the genus *Pseudomonas* that is known for its ability to decompose xenobiotics, which are chemical substances not naturally produced or found in living organisms.

*Pseudomonas putida*

Pasteurellaceae is a family of gram-negative bacteria in the class Gammaproteobacteria that contains several clinically relevant genera and species acting as human and animal pathogens.

Pasteurellaceae

*Pasteurella* is a genus of gram-negative bacteria within the family Pasteurellaceae that includes animal and zoonotic pathogens such as *Pasteurella haemolytica* and *Pasteurella multocida*.

Pasteurella

*Pasteurella haemolytica* is a bacterial species within the genus *Pasteurella* that causes severe pneumonia in sheep and goats.

*Pasteurella haemolytica*

*Pasteurella multocida* is a bacterial species within the genus *Pasteurella* that can be transmitted from animals to humans through animal bites, resulting in infections of the skin and deeper tissues.

*Pasteurella multocida*

*Haemophilus* is a genus of gram-negative bacteria within the family Pasteurellaceae that includes human pathogens such as *Haemophilus influenzae* and *Haemophilus ducreyi*.

Haemophilus

Vibrionales is an order of gram-negative bacteria in the class Gammaproteobacteria that contains human pathogens like *Vibrio cholerae* and symbiotic species like *Aliivibrio fischeri*.

Vibrionales

*Aliivibrio fischeri* is a bioluminescent bacterium in the order Vibrionales that participates in a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with certain squid, wherein the squid provides nutrients and the bacterium produces light to protect the host from predators.

*Aliivibrio fischeri*

*Vibrio parahaemolyticus* is a marine bacterium that causes gastrointestinal disease in humans, typically associated with consuming contaminated seafood.

*Vibrio parahaemolyticus*

*Vibrio vulnificus* is a marine bacterium that causes serious, life-threatening cellulitis (infections of the skin and deeper tissues) and blood-borne infections, as well as gastrointestinal illness.

*Vibrio vulnificus*

Enterobacteriaceae is a large family of gram-negative, enteric (intestinal) bacteria that belong to the class Gammaproteobacteria. They are facultative anaerobes that are capable of fermenting carbohydrates.

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