VIBRIO CHOLERAE Meaning and
Definition
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Vibrio cholerae is a gram-negative, comma-shaped bacterium responsible for causing cholera, a severe and often deadly diarrheal disease. It is a highly motile bacterium with a single, polar flagellum at one end, which enables it to move rapidly in aquatic environments.
This bacterium is found in contaminated water sources, such as rivers, lakes, and ponds. It can survive in both fresh and saltwater, and its natural habitat is often associated with marine environments. V. cholerae is known for its ability to form biofilms on various surfaces, aiding its persistence in the environment.
The primary mode of transmission occurs through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. V. cholerae produces a potent toxin called cholera toxin, which is responsible for the characteristic symptoms of profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration seen in cholera patients. These symptoms can be severe and lead to rapid dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and potentially fatal consequences if left untreated.
Prevention and control of Vibrio cholerae infections rely on improved sanitation, access to clean drinking water, proper sewage disposal, and adequate personal hygiene practices. Treatment involves prompt rehydration to replace the lost fluids and electrolytes, and in severe cases, antibiotics may be required.
Vibrio cholerae has been the cause of multiple cholera pandemics throughout history, affecting millions of people worldwide. Understanding its biology, transmission, and appropriate control measures are vital in reducing the impact of cholera outbreaks and preventing the spread of this highly contagious bacterium.
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Cholera bacillus, comma bacillus. Spirillum cholerae asiaticae.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for VIBRIO CHOLERAE
- cibrio cholerae
- bibrio cholerae
- gibrio cholerae
- fibrio cholerae
- vubrio cholerae
- vjbrio cholerae
- vkbrio cholerae
- vobrio cholerae
- v9brio cholerae
- v8brio cholerae
- vivrio cholerae
- vinrio cholerae
- vihrio cholerae
- vigrio cholerae
- vibeio cholerae
- vibdio cholerae
- vibfio cholerae
- vibtio cholerae
- vib5io cholerae
- vib4io cholerae
Etymology of VIBRIO CHOLERAE
The etymology of the word Vibrio cholerae can be broken down as follows:
1. Vibrio: The term vibrio comes from the Latin word vibro, which means I quiver or I vibrate. It was chosen to describe the bacterium due to its curved or comma-shaped appearance, which appears to vibrate under a microscope.
2. Cholerae: The term cholerae is derived from the Greek word kholera, meaning flow of bile or severe diarrhea. It was used to name the bacterium as it is the primary causative agent of the severe diarrheal disease known as cholera.
Therefore, Vibrio cholerae can be translated as the curved, vibrating bacterium that causes cholera.
