What is the causative agent of cholera?

Vibrio cholerae is the correct identification of the causative agent of cholera, a severe gastroenteric disease characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, leading to dehydration and potentially death if untreated. This bacterium is a curved, gram-negative rod and is typically found in contaminated water and food sources, which emphasizes the importance of sanitation and hygiene in preventing outbreaks of cholera.

Vibrio cholerae produces a potent toxin known as cholera toxin, which acts on the intestinal lining, resulting in the massive secretion of water and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen, effectively causing the symptoms seen in cholera. Understanding this infectious agent's role in the disease highlights the critical nature of controlling waterborne pathogens in public health efforts, especially in endemic regions.