Cholera poses a continuous threat to public health in developing countries worldwide where access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation can not be guaranteed at all. Though rehydration is the mainstay of cholera treatment, antibiotics have been shown to be important and cost-effective adjuncts in severe cases and in epidemic situations. However, the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains has posed serious clinical problems. The fact that Vibrio and lot of other pathogenic organisms are becoming increasingly antibiotic-resistant underlines the pervasiveness of the pressures that lead to the emergence and spread of resistance. There are reports correlating rates of antimicrobial resistance with treatment failure, morbidity and mortality. To complicate the scenario further, the number of episodes of cholera-like illness caused by other Vibrios for example Vibrio fluvialis, has registered an upward trend. These organisms, like V. cholerae, are also turning out to be multi-drug resistant. The emergence and maintenance of drug resistance in bacteria are governed by a complex series of biological, environmental and behavioural factors. Mobile genetic elements play a major role in mediating rapid and broad dissemination of antibiotic resistance traits. However, the role of these in the dissemination of drug resistance for the majority of the Vibrios is not well worked out. Since antibiotic-resistant strains have remained a threat, continuous surveillance and understanding of the resistance mechanisms operating, is required. It is in this context, we in our laboratory at IIAR, have undertaken a systematic study aimed at comprehending the molecular mechanisms underlying drug resistance and transmission of the resistance genes in V. fluvialis, V. cholerae, V. parahemolyticus and Shigella.

 Antibiotics Resistance Drugs,Pathogenisis of virus and Bacteria