The world is still in its seventh cholera pandemic, which has been surging since 2021, and case rates in various countries continue to be high. The disease is usually caused when water or food contaminated with Vibrio cholerae bacteria is ingested. It's estimated that there are from 1.3 to 4.0 million cases of cholera every year worldwide, killing 21,000 to 143,000 people. Part of the reason why cholera has been able to cause so many problems for so long is because the bacterium that causes the disease has been able to evolve and change so much over time. Scientists have now learned more about the genetic factors that are currently contributing to cholera virulence and symptom severity, and these findings may eventually help prevent the disease. The research has been reported in Nature Communications.
In this work, the researchers used genetic and structural data, computational tools, and a technique called genome-scale metabolic modeling (GSMM) to learn more about Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera. GSMM is a method that integrates omics data, such as genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic information to create an overarching model of how various components of bacterial cells like genes, proteins, and metabolites are interacting.
Isolates of the Vibrio cholerae were obtained between 2015 and 2021 from cholera patients in several regions of Bangladesh, and then analyzed. The investigators identified small changes, or SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in various bacterial genes that are connected to more severe and possibly deadly patient symptoms like vomiting, abdominal pain, and dehydration.
"By identifying the key genetic factors that drive both the transmission and severity of cholera, we've taken a significant step toward developing more effective treatments and targeted interventions. This could save thousands of lives, not just in Bangladesh, but globally," said corresponding study author Professor Tania Dottorini of the University of Nottingham.
Some of these genetic traits were also connected the bacterium's ability to spread more easily. Other genetic factors were linked to changes in the bacterium's metabolism, or its ability to withstand the harsh environment of the human gut to cause an infection and disease. The work revealed complex connections between microbial genetics and disease, and may help scientists find better ways to prevent cholera.
"Our findings open the door to a new era of cholera research, where we can develop tools to predict and potentially prevent severe outbreaks before they occur. The ultimate goal is to translate these insights into real-world solutions that protect vulnerable populations," added Dottorini.