Biology Cholera (22/10/2021)

Outline how Cholera affects the intestine

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Cholera is a bacteria or bacterium that can spread from contaminated water and food. When
ingested, the cholera will live and breed in the small intestine, producing a toxin that will
stimulate the cells lining the small intestine to secrete chloride ions. These ions will then
accumulate in the lumen of the small intestine, leading to the concentration of fluid in the
lumen increasing, thus lowering its water potential as well. Once said water potential
becomes lower than that of the water potential of the blood flowing through the vessels in the
walls of the intestine, water will move out of the blood and into the lumen of the intestine
through osmosis. This will eventually result in the person losing large quantities of water
from their bodies (through their watery faeces).

Steps
Step 1: The cholera bacteria produces a toxin that stimulates the cells lining the small
intestine to secrete chloride ions.

Step 2: The chloride ions accumulate in the lumen of the small intestine.

Step 3: This accumulation causes the concentration of fluid in the lumen to increase,
lowering its water potential.

Step 4: Once said water potential becomes lower than that of the water potential of the blood
flowing through the vessels in the walls of the intestine, water moves out of the blood and
into the lumen of the intestine by osmosis.

Step 5: The person will then lose large quantities of water from their bodies (through watery
faeces).

Treatments
1. Oral rehydration therapy
• Involves drinking solution/mixture of (safe) water, glucose (sugar) and salts
• It can help replace the fluids lost; returns the amount of fluids, sugars and
electrolytes in the body to normal levels
• ORT/ORS

2. Cholera-targeting antibiotics
• While taking these antibiotics will help, it’s not recommended as the cholera
bacterium can become increasingly resistant to these antibiotics over time

3. Zinc Treatment
• A study showed that zinc supplementation significantly reduced the duration
and severity of diarrhoea in children suffering from cholera