Identification of biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance in toxigenic Vibrio cholerae isolates shows alarming characteristics

Pirot, Pana Mohammed; Muhammed, Srwa Ali

doi:10.24271/psr.2025.545077.2346

Identification of biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance in toxigenic Vibrio cholerae isolates shows alarming characteristics

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Pana Mohammed Pirot ¹

Srwa Ali Muhammed ²

¹ Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Health, Koya University, Koya 44023, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

² Medical Analysis Department, Faculty of Applied Science, Tishk International University, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

10.24271/psr.2025.545077.2346

Abstract

Abstract
Vibrio cholerae is a gram-negative, comma-shaped bacterium causing cholera, a severe diarrheal disease. This pathogen remains a major public health threat in areas with inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure, spreading through contaminated water and causing rapid dehydration. Genetic analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing and PCR-based detection of the ctxA gene confirmed the virulence potential of the isolate. Antimicrobial testing showed complete sensitivity (100%) to imipenem, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime, and ceftriaxone, with doxycycline demonstrating 90.9% sensitivity. However, significant resistance emerged for amikacin (81.8%), cephalexin (63.6%), chloramphenicol (45.5%), and erythromycin (45.5%). Biofilm formation assessment revealed that virtually all isolates possessed this capability. This study elucidates the pathogenic determinants and antimicrobial resistance repertoire of Vibrio cholerae isolates, with phenotypic and genotypic characteristics confirmed through standardized testing protocols.

Keywords

cholerae infection

diarrhea

16S rRNA

ctxA

antimicrobial susceptibility