Pre-earthquake non-epidemic Vibrio cholerae in Haiti

J Infect Dev Ctries. 2014 Jan 15;8(1):120-2. doi: 10.3855/jidc.4524.

Abstract

Introduction: To our knowledge, there was no record of Vibrio cholerae in Haiti until the 2010 post earthquake outbreak.

Methodology: This study describes the analysis of 301 stool samples from 117 infants in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, who participated in a pediatric nutrition study between July 2008 and October 2009.

Results: Nine samples were identified positive with both SYBR Green and Taqman-MGB probe based molecular assays targeting V. cholerae hlyA and toxR, respectively (Ct = 33-40), but none were O1 or O139.

Conclusions: Our results from multiple molecular assays demonstrate the presence of non-O1/O139 V. cholerae DNA in stools collected from nine asymptomatic Haitian infants two years prior to the 2010 earthquake.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Cholera / epidemiology*
  • Cholera / microbiology*
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Earthquakes*
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Female
  • Haiti / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Oligonucleotide Probes / genetics
  • Vibrio cholerae non-O1 / classification
  • Vibrio cholerae non-O1 / isolation & purification*
  • Virulence Factors / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Oligonucleotide Probes
  • Virulence Factors