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ERIC-PCR Analysis of the Clinical and Environmental strains of V. cholerae during 2013 Epidemic in Nigeria
Smith Stella, Nwaokorie Francisca, Awoderu Oluwatoyin, Bamidele Tajudeen, Akinsinde Kehinde, Ochoga Michael, Oladele David, Bamidele Moses, Fesobi Toun, Afocha Eberechukwu, Amoo Samuel, Ajayi Morakinyo, Atat Prince, Ogbonna Francisca, Nduaga Samuel, Idika Nneoma, Oparaugo Chinedu, Musa Adesola, Adeneye Adeniyi, Ijeh Margaret, Ujah Innocent
OAI: oai:ojs2.www.ijhsonline.com:article/191
Published by: IJHS Medical Association
Abstract
Background: Molecular markers are important tools in the monitoring of toxigenic strains of Vibrio cholerae in environmental and clinical samples.
Objectives: The study was aimed at determining the clinical and environmental strains of V. cholerae associated with cholera epidemic and compare their genetic relatedness for epidemiological purposes.
Materials and Methods: Clinical and environmental samples were collected from six states (Ogun, Oyo, Lagos, Zamfara, Plateau and Benue) following report of cholera epidemic and identified using biochemical and serological techniques. The molecular markers used were wbe O1, wbe O139, ctx, tcp genes and ERIC-PCR.
Results: The serotype of the clinical isolates was Ogawa while eight environmental isolates from Ogun and Oyo identified as V. cholerae were non-Ogawa non-Inaba. Out of a total of 198 samples, 41 (20.7%) were Vibrio species with thirty six (87.8%) comprising V. cholerae. All isolates (clinical and environmental) possessed the tcp and ctxA genes, with the exception of one clinical isolate that did not possess the ctxA gene.
Out of 30 isolates genotyped by ERIC-PCR, 16 ERIC fingerprint patterns (FP) were distributed into three major clusters. There were distinct differences between the clinical and the environmental isolates as well as isolates from the different states. Genetic similarities between clinical and environmental strains were also observed.
Conclusion: Toxigenic V. cholerae 01 serotype Ogawa was responsible for the cholera outbreak in Nigeria in 2013. Based on DNA finger printing of clinical and environmental isolates, it was observed that the toxigenic V. cholerae strains in human infections could be linked to the environmental strains. ERIC-PCR is a useful tool for discriminating our clinical and environmental isolates.