Epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of Vibrio cholerae in recurrent cholera outbreaks in Ethiopia: a multicenter study.
5 affiliations
- 1Aklilu Lemma Institute of Health Research, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- 2Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- 3Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- 4Department of Microbiology, Amhara Public Health Institute, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
- 5Ohio State Global One Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Abstract
Objectives
The recurrence of cholera continues to be a public health concern in Ethiopia. The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant Vibrio cholerae strains has complicated case management. Thus, this study aimed to assess the epidemiologic distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of V. cholerae in Ethiopia.Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients in cholera treatment centers and health care facilities in Ethiopia from September 2023 to September 2025. Diarrheic stool and suspected water samples were collected and transported to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute to isolate and confirm V. cholerae using standard microbiology techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion and E-test methods in accordance with updated Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.Results
Among 356 stool samples and 30 water samples, 66.3% and 3.3% were culture-positive for V. cholerae, respectively. All isolates were confirmed as V. cholerae O1 serotype Ogawa across all regions. The isolates were 100% susceptible to chloramphenicol and meropenem, 99.6% to tetracycline and 99.2% to ciprofloxacin but all isolates were resistant to azithromycin 98.7% to ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Nearly all isolates were multidrug-resistant (99.6%).Conclusion
V. cholerae O1 Ogawa was the only serotype circulating in a long-standing cholera outbreak in Ethiopia, with a high prevalence of multi-drug resistant. A high rate of azithromycin resistance highlights the urgent need to revise national cholera treatment guidelines.
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BibTeX
@article{ayenew2026epidemiology,
title = {{Epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of Vibrio cholerae in recurrent cholera outbreaks in Ethiopia: a multicenter study.}},
author = {Zeleke Ayenew and Alem Abrha Kalayu and Rajiha Abubeker Ibrahim and Yeshambel Worku Demlie and Michael Getie and Negga Asamene Abera and Gemechu Tadesse Leta and Chalie Mulu Belete and Getachew Tollera Eticha and Aklilu Feleke Haile and Tadesse Eguale},
journal = {IJID regions},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1016/j.ijregi.2026.101021},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42921463},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of Vibrio cholerae in recurrent cholera outbreaks in Ethiopia: a multicenter study.
AU - Zeleke Ayenew
AU - Alem Abrha Kalayu
AU - Rajiha Abubeker Ibrahim
AU - Yeshambel Worku Demlie
AU - Michael Getie
AU - Negga Asamene Abera
AU - Gemechu Tadesse Leta
AU - Chalie Mulu Belete
AU - Getachew Tollera Eticha
AU - Aklilu Feleke Haile
AU - Tadesse Eguale
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/24
JO - IJID regions
DO - 10.1016/j.ijregi.2026.101021
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42921463
AB - Objectives The recurrence of cholera continues to be a public health concern in Ethiopia. The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant Vibrio cholerae strains has complicated case management. Thus, this study aimed to assess the epidemiologic distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of V. cholerae in Ethiopia.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients in cholera treatment centers and health care facilities in Ethiopia from September 2023 to September 2025. Diarrheic stool and suspected water samples were collected and transported to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute to isolate and confirm V. cholerae using standard microbiology techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion and E-test methods in accordance with updated Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.Results Among 356 stool samples and 30 water samples, 66.3% and 3.3% were culture-positive for V. cholerae, respectively. All isolates were confirmed as V. cholerae O1 serotype Ogawa across all regions. The isolates were 100% susceptible to chloramphenicol and meropenem, 99.6% to tetracycline and 99.2% to ciprofloxacin but all isolates were resistant to azithromycin 98.7% to ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Nearly all isolates were multidrug-resistant (99.6%).Conclusion V. cholerae O1 Ogawa was the only serotype circulating in a long-standing cholera outbreak in Ethiopia, with a high prevalence of multi-drug resistant. A high rate of azithromycin resistance highlights the urgent need to revise national cholera treatment guidelines.
SN - 2772-7076
ER -