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Review
. 2019 Apr 30:8:F1000 Faculty Rev-589.
doi: 10.12688/f1000research.18093.1. eCollection 2019.

Combating Cholera

Brian Y Hsueh  1 , Christopher M Waters  1
Affiliations
Review

Combating Cholera

Brian Y Hsueh et al. F1000Res. .

Abstract

Cholera infections caused by the gamma-proteobacterium Vibrio cholerae have ravaged human populations for centuries, and cholera pandemics have afflicted every corner of the globe. Fortunately, interventions such as oral rehydration therapy, antibiotics/antimicrobials, and vaccines have saved countless people afflicted with cholera, and new interventions such as probiotics and phage therapy are being developed as promising approaches to treat even more cholera infections. Although current therapies are mostly effective and can reduce disease transmission, cholera outbreaks remain deadly, as was seen during recent outbreaks in Haiti, Ethiopia, and Yemen. This is due to significant underlying political and socioeconomic complications, including shortages of vaccines and clean food and water and a lack of health surveillance. In this review, we highlight the strengths and weaknesses of current cholera therapies, discuss emerging technologies, and argue that a multi-pronged, flexible approach is needed to continue to reduce the worldwide burden of cholera.

Keywords: Vibrio cholera; antibiotics; cholera; oral-rehydration therapy; phage therapy; probiotics; vaccine.

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Conflict of interest statement

No competing interests were disclosed.No competing interests were disclosed.No competing interests were disclosed.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. The five strategies to treat cholera.
This diagram summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of five different cholera treatments discussed in this review. By considering the strengths and weaknesses of the current therapies and leveraging the diversity of resources and new technologies, a multi-pronged approach could well improve the chances of success in combating cholera infections worldwide and potentially establish cost-effective, pre-emptive solutions more quickly than conventional methods of treatment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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