Journal of Applied Health Sciences and Medicine

Research Article

Molecular and Genomic Epidemiology of Non-O1/Non-O139 and O1/O139 Vibrio cholerae: A Molecular typo-genomics strategy for studying Emerging Potential Environmental Bacterial Pathogens

  • By Bright E. Igere, Uchechukwu U. Nwodo - 23 Jul 2024
  • Journal of Applied Health Sciences and Medicine, Volume: 4, Issue: 6, Pages: 1 - 18
  • https://doi.org/10.58614/jahsm461
  • Received: May 25, 2024; Accepted: July 10, 2024; Published: July 23, 2024

Abstract

Recent happening of epidemic, sporadic and pandemic associated with bacteria pathogens around the globe continue to arouse fear amongst the populace. Specific examples amongst such pathogens are the non-O1/non-O139 and O1/O139 Vibrio cholerae which are implicated in acute watery diarrhea (AWD) and cholera cases. It was reported that more than ten Southern/Eastern African countries have suffered the scourge since the beginning of 2018. Considering the highlights on the rapid transmission or spread of AWD/Cholera and the relative impact on public/environmental health, molecular epidemiology of transmitting agents has shown promising relevance in diverse field of interest. This study reviewed researches on some published articles on Cholera/AWD within the Southern African Development Communities (SADC), other East and West African countries and elsewhere. The role of molecular epidemiological tools in understanding the dynamics of Non-O1/Non-O139 and O1/O139 Vibrio cholerae transmission/spread, source tracking of outbreaks and possible management/control in probable and confirmed cases of vibriosis was discussed. It also emphasized on the current updated nature/burden of the pathogen in endemic, epidemic and pandemic area in Southern African countries as the problem of safe-water and hygienic-food for-all continues to resurface. The need for application of molecular and gene based epidemiological approach in profiling bacterial strains cannot be overemphasize especially amongst emerging or reemerging strains of Non-O1/Non-O139 Vibrio cholarae and O1/O139 Vibrio cholerae.