Report on Clonal Dissemination of a New Vibrio cholerae Serotype O1 Biotype El Tor Strain in Kurdstan in Summer of 2007

Cholerae disease caused by toxigenic V. cholerae, is a major public health problem in developing countries including Iran. Epidemiological surveillance and comparative molecular analysis of isolates have demonstrated clonal diversity among epidemic strains and a continual emergence of new clones of toxigenic V. cholerae. A total of 20 V.cholerae strains were sent to Pasteur Institute of Iran in September of 2007 from Kordestan province which includes strains of different sub-serotypes. After biochemical identification, isolates subjected to molecular analysis including Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis [PFGE] of NotI digested genomic DNA according to the standardized protocol by Centre of Disease Control [CDC]. PFGE results showed a single pattern for all isolates. The results were interpreted in comparison with patterns obtained by isolates of previous years and showed clonal dissemination of a new clone in Kordestan province in this year