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Cólera - Overview

Nombres alternativos

V. cholerae; Vibrio

Definición:

Es una infección del intestino delgado que ocasiona una gran cantidad de diarrea acuosa.

Causas:

El cólera es causado por la bacteria Vibrio cholerae. La bacteria libera una toxina que causa aumento de la secreción de agua en los intestinos, lo cual puede producir diarrea profusa.

El cólera ocurre en lugares con condiciones sanitarias deficientes, hacinamiento, guerra e inanición. Los lugares comunes para el cólera abarcan:

  • África
  • Asia
  • India
  • México
  • América Central y del Sur

Las personas contraen la infección ingiriendo agua o alimentos contaminados.

Un tipo de bacterias vibrio ha sido igualmente asociado con mariscos, especialmente ostras crudas.

Los factores de riesgo abarcan:

  • La exposición al agua para beber contaminada o sin tratamiento.
  • Residir o viajar a áreas donde hay cólera.
  • Reviewed last on: 5/25/2010
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Seas C, Gotuzzo E. Vibrio cholera. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 214.

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