Master Vibrio Cholera Disease with Picmonic for Medicine

With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Recommended Picmonics

Vibrio Cholera Characteristics

Yersinia Enterocolitica

Shigella

Salmonella Overview

Salmonella Enterica Spp.

Vibrio Cholera Disease

Vibrating Collie

Picmonic

Vibrio cholera is a gram negative, oxidase positive, comma shaped bacteria that causes a life threatening, rice water diarrhea. The biochemistry behind this infective organism is in the toxin’s ability to sustain the Gs subunit of the Cl channel into the “on” position with ADP ribosylation. This sustains the channel’s secretory ability and results in continued secretion of Cl into the gut lumen where Na and water follow. This ends in severe dehydration, electrolyte depletion and possible death. The organism is typically found in seafood, and should be treated with both glucose and Na rich electrolyte fluids.

5 KEY FACTS

The bacterial toxin acts via ADP ribosylation of the Gs subunit.

Through ribosylation, the Gs subunit remains in a locked “on” position, resulting in the increase of cAMP within the cell. This continued elevation of cAMP results in excessive secretion of electrolytes and water into the gut lumen.

In cholera, the Cl- channel is persistently open due to a locked Gs subunit. This openness results in the accumulation of cAMP and subsequent Cl secretion into the lumen, contributing to the diarrhea.

The reabsorption of Na is a necessary piece of the gut's function. By inhibiting this function, cholera causes profuse diarrhea that can be fatal due to electrolyte imbalances.

The diarrhea is classically described as rice water diarrhea due to the high fluid and electrolyte content. It also signifies that there is a lack of inflammatory cells because this is secretory diarrhea as opposed to invasive diarrhea.

DOWNLOAD PDF