Experts Discover Deadly Cholera Genetics, Which Could Hold Key to Preventing It

Experts have used a cutting-edge computational approach to uncover the genetic factors that make the bacteria that causes cholera so dangerous, which could be key to preventing the deadly disease.

The groundbreaking study, published in Nature Communicationsis led by Professor Tania Dottorini of the University of Nottingham, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh and North South University.

This innovative research combines machine learning, genomics, genome-scale metabolic modeling (GSMM) and 3D structural analysis to uncover the genetic secrets of Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera.

Cholera is a deadly diarrheal disease that continues to threaten millions of people worldwide, with up to 4 million cases and up to 143,000 deaths each year. In Bangladesh alone, where cholera is a persistent threat, 66 million people are at risk, with more than 100,000 cases and 4,500 deaths each year.

Vibrio cholerae is evolving in ways that make the disease more severe and harder to control, but until now scientists have struggled to identify the exact genetic factors behind these changes.

Even less is known about the genomic features responsible for the severity of cholera resulting from these lineages. About one in five people with cholera will experience severe disease due to a combination of symptoms (mainly diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration).

In this new study, the British-Bangladeshi research team analyzed bacterial samples from cholera patients in six regions of Bangladesh, collected between 2015 and 2021. They identified a set of unique genes and mutations in the most recent and dominant strain of Vibrio cholerae responsible for the devastating 2022 outbreak.

These genetic traits are linked to the bacteria’s ability to cause severe symptoms such as prolonged diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, vomiting and dehydration, symptoms that can lead to death in severe cases.

“By identifying the key genetic factors that determine both the transmission and severity of cholera, we have taken an important step towards developing more effective treatments and targeted interventions,” said Professor Dottorini. “This could save thousands of lives, not only in Bangladesh, but around the world.”

The study results also revealed that some of these pathogenic characteristics overlap with those that facilitate the bacteria’s spread. The findings show how these genetic factors enable Vibrio cholerae to survive in the human gut, making it more resilient to environmental stress and more effective at causing disease. This research highlights the complex interactions between the bacteria’s genetic makeup and its ability to cause serious illness.

This new computational framework represents a major breakthrough in the fight against cholera. By identifying the key genetic factors that make Vibrio cholerae more dangerous, scientists can develop better treatments and more targeted strategies to control and prevent future outbreaks. This breakthrough offers new hope for improving public health in Bangladesh and potentially saving countless lives around the world.

Dr. Dottorini added: “Our results pave the way for a new era of cholera research, where we can develop tools to predict and potentially prevent serious outbreaks before they occur. The ultimate goal is to translate this knowledge into concrete solutions that protect vulnerable populations.”

“This breakthrough has only been possible thanks to the close collaboration between our UK and Bangladeshi partners. Together, we have combined cutting-edge IT tools with local expertise to tackle one of the most pressing public health challenges.”