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Host-induced epidemic spread of the cholera bacterium

Author

Listed:
  • D. Scott Merrell

    (Tufts University School of Medicine
    Stanford School of Medicine)

  • Susan M. Butler

    (Tufts University School of Medicine)

  • Firdausi Qadri

    (International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research)

  • Nadia A. Dolganov

    (Stanford Medical School, Beckman Center, Room 241)

  • Ahsfaqul Alam

    (International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research)

  • Mitchell B. Cohen

    (Children's Hospital Medical Center)

  • Stephen B. Calderwood

    (Massachusetts General Hospital
    Harvard Medical School)

  • Gary K. Schoolnik

    (Stanford Medical School, Beckman Center, Room 241)

  • Andrew Camilli

    (Tufts University School of Medicine)

Abstract

The factors that enhance the transmission of pathogens during epidemic spread are ill defined. Water-borne spread of the diarrhoeal disease cholera occurs rapidly in nature, whereas infection of human volunteers with bacteria grown in vitro is difficult in the absence of stomach acid buffering1. It is unclear, however, whether stomach acidity is a principal factor contributing to epidemic spread2. Here we report that characterization of Vibrio cholerae from human stools supports a model whereby human colonization creates a hyperinfectious bacterial state that is maintained after dissemination and that may contribute to epidemic spread of cholera. Transcriptional profiling of V. cholerae from stool samples revealed a unique physiological and behavioural state characterized by high expression levels of genes required for nutrient acquisition and motility, and low expression levels of genes required for bacterial chemotaxis.

Suggested Citation

  • D. Scott Merrell & Susan M. Butler & Firdausi Qadri & Nadia A. Dolganov & Ahsfaqul Alam & Mitchell B. Cohen & Stephen B. Calderwood & Gary K. Schoolnik & Andrew Camilli, 2002. "Host-induced epidemic spread of the cholera bacterium," Nature, Nature, vol. 417(6889), pages 642-645, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:417:y:2002:i:6889:d:10.1038_nature00778
    DOI: 10.1038/nature00778
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    Cited by:

    1. Medda, Rakesh & Tiwari, Pankaj Kumar & Pal, Samares, 2024. "Impacts of planktonic components on the dynamics of cholera epidemic: Implications from a mathematical model," Mathematics and Computers in Simulation (MATCOM), Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 505-526.
    2. Liao, Shu & Wang, Jin, 2012. "Global stability analysis of epidemiological models based on Volterra–Lyapunov stable matrices," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 45(7), pages 966-977.

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