RESISTANCE TO ANTI-MICROBIAL AGENTS OF VIBRIO-CHOLERAE EL-TOR STRAINS ISOLATED DURING THE 4TH CHOLERA EPIDEMIC IN THE UNITED-REPUBLIC-OF-TANZANIA

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 58  (5) , 747-751
Abstract
Isolates of V. cholerae obtained immediately after the outbreak of the 4th recorded epidemic of cholera in Tanzania were sensitive to tetracycline but after 5 mo. of its extensive therapeutic and prophylactic use, 76% of the isolates were observed to be resistant to this and other antimicrobial agents. The appearance of resistance was due to the rapid spread of antibiotic resistance plasmids belonging to the C incompatibility complex. Although most plasmid incompatibility groups are unstable in V. cholerae, the strains found in this epidemic seem to carry a plasmid belonging to 1 of the few relatively stable groups. The importance of monitoring any emergence of bacterial resistance that may occur when mass prophylaxis programs are in operation and the importance of determining the genetic basis of the resistance mechanism are emphasized.