El cólera

Abstract

Cholera is a transmissible diarrheal disease the cause of 7 important pandemics throughout history which in the present day is completely controlled in developed countries thanks to the greatly improved hygienic sanitary conditions. In spite of this it is still the cause of thousands of deaths every year in the most disadvantaged countries of the planet. The bacteria Vibrio cholerae, the cause of this pathology, is transmitted by means of contaminated food and water and when it is able to invade the human intestine it secretes a toxin causing bouts of diarrhoea which can become extremely severe and, in the case of delay/lack of treatment, can cause the death of the affected person. Its usual reservoirs are the contaminated person and water. The transmission control strategies of the disease are simple and only too well known. The provision of clean water and its correct purification together with basic hygienic practices in the treatment of food can avoid the appearance of the disease. Sadly, these conditions are not fulfilled in the poorer countries and the efforts dedicated to the development of a preventive vaccine are great. Of the three available vaccines at present, we highlight the oral vaccine of dead cells enriched with part of the toxin, which has shown to be highly efficient and safe. The role of immunization is important in the control of the disease, both in endemic areas and zones with risk of epidemic. High risk travellers are also candidates for vaccination.