RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To study the different epidemiological and polymerase chain reaction-based identification of vibrio cholera. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Center for Advanced Studies in Vaccinology and Biotechnology, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan, from January 5 to December 6, 2019, and comprised faecal / rectal swab samples from patients with a history of untreated severe diarrhoea of <12-hour duration. The samples were collected from suspected cholera patients at different hospitals of the province. The isolates were examined and identified on the basis of colony characters on thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose agar. Susppected colonies were subjected to gram staining, biochemical tests and polymerase chain reaction-based identification. Data was analysed using SPSS 19. RESULTS: Of the 444 samples, 33(7.43%) were positive for vibrio cholera and 411(92.56%) were negative. The incidence was higher in individuals aged 1-20 years 12(2.7%); males 18(4.05%); Balochs 18(4.05%); lower socioeconomic class 18(4.05%); and illiterates 26(5.85%). The incidence was more in summer 19(4.27%) and spring 8(1.80%) seasons. Polymerase chain reaction was highly effective diagnostic approach, with findings showing clear bands of 588bp of ompW gene. CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance for diarrhoeal disorders is necessary to control future outbreaks of cholera in the region.