European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Cholera is a contagious diarrheal disease which spreads through contaminated food and water. It is caused by Gram negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae of the O1 or O139 serogroup. Cholera can potentially spread as epidemic or endemic. If undiagnosed and untreated at the earlier stages, it can result in dehydration and death. Different endeavors are made for the treatment of cholera. Oral rehydration therapy (ORT), use of antimicrobials and antibiotics, probiotics and vaccinations are amongst the various alternative modes of treatment that can be used to treat cholera depending upon the severity of the disease. Also, antibiotics like tetracycline, azithromycin and doxycycline can be used synergistically for the treatment of acute infection and intense dehydration. Researchers have also advocated the use of different vaccines including oral cholera vaccine. In this review, we have provided a brief overview of the cholera disease and its pathogenesis along with different treatment strategies that can be used to treat it or reduce its symptoms.