Introduction
Shah M. Faruque
from: Vibrio cholerae: Genomics and Molecular Biology (Edited by: Shah M. Faruque and G. Balakrish Nair). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2008)
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera belongs to a group of organisms whose natural habitats are the aquatic ecosystems. The strains that cause cholera epidemics have evolved from non-pathogenic progenitor strains by acquisition of virulence genes, and V. cholerae represents a paradigm for this evolutionary process. Brief description to the virulence genes, their role in pathogenesis, and their possible mode of lateral transfer among different strains have been provided. The genomics and evolution of the species, population structure and multiple factors involved in the distinct epidemiological behaviour of V. cholerae have also been briefly introduced to make grounds for more detailed description of the topics presented in subsequent chapters read more ...
