ABSTRACT
From 1947 to 1970, a number of cases of cholera occurred mainly in the East Wing of Pakistan. However, during this period and in subsequent years up to 1992, there were reports of sporadic cases of cholera in [West] Pakistan. In the year 1993, there was a sudden increase in the isolation rate of Vibrio cholerae 01 [71.65/1000 stool specimens] at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology [AFIP], Rawalpindi. However, the isolation rate of V.cholerae 01 again decreased [12.58/1000 stools specimens] during 1994. Fourteen isolates of V.cholerae non 01 were also obtained during these two years, but none of them was V.cholerae 0139. Tetracycline [TET] is no more the drug of choice for V.cholerae 01. There were 90.86% [n=169] and 90% [n=36] isolates of V.cholerae 01 resistant to TET during 1993 and 1994 respectively. However, doxcycline and minocycline were found very effective in vitro against V.cholerae 01. Ampicillin, cotrimoxazole and chloramphenicol resistance to V.cholerae 01 has increased significantly. All the V.cholerae 01 were uniformly sensitive to all the quinolones [nalidixic acid, enoxacin, ciprofloxacin and ofloxocin]. We must remain on guard against cholera through continuous surveillance as well as by assuring access to treatment and providing clean water and adequate sewage disposal