| Vibrio cholerae | <bacteria> Bacterium that causes cholera, the life threatening aspects of which are caused by the exotoxin (see cholera toxin). Short, slightly curved rods, highly motile (single polar flagellum), gram-negative. Adhere to intestinal epithelium (adhesion mechanism unknown) and produce enzymes (neuraminidase, proteases) that facilitate access of the bacterium to the epithelial surface. (18 Nov 1997) |
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