A bacterium called Vibrio cholerae causes cholera infection. The deadly effects of the disease are the result of a toxin the bacteria produces in the small intestine. The toxin causes the body to secrete enormous amounts of water, leading to diarrhea and a rapid loss of fluids and salts (electrolytes).Feb 1, 2020
How does cholera infect its host?
Vibrio cholerae is the causative agent responsible for cholera. It is a bean-shaped bacterium with a long tail that it uses for self-propulsion. The bacteria are transmitted between humans through the fecal-oral routefecal-oral routeThe fecal–oral route (also called the oral–fecal route or orofecal route) describes a particular route of transmission of a disease wherein pathogens in fecal particles pass from one person to the mouth of another person.https://en.wikipedia.org › wikiFecal–oral route - Wikipedia; a bite of contaminated food or a sip of contaminated water can cause infection.Mar 7, 2012
What does cholera do to the cells?
Once cholera toxin binds to cell surface receptors, the A Protomer can enter the cell and bind with and activate its target effector: adenylate cyclase. Increasing adenylate cyclase activity will increase cellular levels of cAMP, increasing the activity of ion pumps that remove ions from the cell.
How is cholera transmitted?
The cholera bacteria is passed through feces (poop). It is spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated by the feces (poop) of an infected person. This occurs more often in underdeveloped countries lacking proper water supplies and sewage disposal.