Utilizing cutting-edge computer methods, experts identified the genes that render cholera bacteria highly perilous. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly curb the spread of the disease.
The study, spearheaded by Professor Tania Dottorini from the University of Nottingham, in collaboration with researchers from Bangladesh, is a pioneering blend of machine learning and genetics in the study of bacteria.
Cholera is a deadly disease causing diarrhea and affects millions globally, with up to 4 million cases and 143,000 deaths every year. In Bangladesh, 66 million people are at risk, with over 100,000 cases and 4,500 deaths annually. The cholera bacteria, Vibrio cholerae, is changing in ways that make the disease worse and more challenging to control.
Researchers have struggled to find the exact genes behind these changes. Around 1 in 5 people with cholera will have severe symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration.
In a new study, researchers from the UK and Bangladesh analyzed cholera samples from patients in six regions of Bangladesh collected between 2015 and 2021. They found unique genes in the bacteria causing the severe 2022 outbreak. These genes are linked to symptoms like long-lasting diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration, which can be deadly.
The study also revealed that these harmful genes facilitate the bacteria’s proliferation and survival in the human gut, thereby intensifying the challenge of controlling the disease.
This new research is a big step in fighting cholera. By finding the genes that make the bacteria more dangerous, researchers can create better treatments and strategies to prevent future outbreaks. This gives hope for saving lives, especially in Bangladesh. The study could lead to tools that predict and stop severe epidemics before they happen.
Finding the genes that make the bacteria more dangerous can help researchers create better treatments and strategies to prevent future outbreaks. This gives hope for saving lives, especially in Bangladesh. The study could lead to tools that predict and stop severe epidemics before they happen.
Professor Tania Dottorini said, “This progress was made possible by working closely with experts in Bangladesh and using advanced technology to address this urgent health problem, closely with experts in Bangladesh and using advanced technology to address this urgent health problem.”
Journal reference :
- Maciel-Guerra, A., Babaarslan, K., Baker, M. et al. Core and accessory genomic traits of Vibrio cholerae O1 drive lineage transmission and disease severity. Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52238-0.