Authors:
Ashiq Hussain1, Yasmeen Lashari2, Muhammad Mazhar3
1 Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Bolan Medical College Quetta
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Bolan Medical College Quetta
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Loralai Medical College Loralai
Revisions:
Received: Sep 18. 2023 Revised: Nov 23. 2023 Accepted: Dec 22. 2023 Published: Jan 05. 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70394/jhbsmdc.v3i2.61
Abstract
Objectives: The present study was conducted to identify the isolates of V. cholerae as causative agent for the current outbreak in Baluchistan and evaluate the antibiotic sensitivity profile of the isolates.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Bolan Medical Complex Hospital Quetta from March to October 2022. Suspected stool samples were received with a history of untreated severe diarrhea within 12-hour duration from different affected districts of Baluchistan Province, Suspected colonies were subjected to gram staining, biochemical analysis and antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.
Results: Total 483 diarrheal samples were collected out of which 43 (8.90 %) were positive and 440 (91.09%) were negative. The all isolates 100 % were resistant to common antibiotics were whereas Ciprofloxacin100%, Levofloxacin 100% and Azithromycin 100% were sensitive to all isolates.
Conclusion: Culture methods and biochemical identification of V. cholerae from suspected cholera may be helpful. There needs to be systematic surveillance of commonly used antibiotics and encourage the design and implementation of the cholera control policy advised by the WHO.
Keywords: Cholera, Outbreak, Vibrio cholerae, Baluchistan.
