Molecular characterization of Vibrio cholerae strains from clinical samples during the 2025 epidemic in the Republic of the Congo.

Authors

Tarcisse Baloki Ngoulou, Pembe Issamou Mayengue, Nicole Prisca Makaya Dangui Nieko, Felix Koukouikila-Koussounda, Doria Moise Kaya-Ongoto, Dachel Aymard Eyenet Boussam, Léadisaelle Hosanna Lenguiya, Jordy Exaucé Demboux Lyelet, Isaac Samuel Onyankouang, Rancia Colombe Diakouka Diambalou, Reiche Golmard Elenga, Fabien Kangoula-Dia-Kikoudi-Kia-Louzala, Marianne Mouko, Christoffer Mounkala, Diane Dibantsa, Wivine Salva Mouellet, Igor Louzolo, Ghislain Dzeret Indolo, Louis Regis Dossou-Yovo, Fabien Roch Niama

Published in

IJID regions. Volume 20. Pages 100962. Epub Jul 24, 2026.

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the bacteriological and molecular profile of Vibrio cholerae strains responsible for the cholera outbreak that occurred in July 2025 in the Republic of the Congo.
Fecal samples were collected from patients suspected of having cholera and admitted to health centers in four departments of the Republic of the Congo and sent to the National Public Health Laboratory for analysis. The samples were cultured, and the isolates obtained were subjected to serotyping and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Whole-genome sequencing was performed using the Illumina DNA Prep kit.
Of the 57 samples analyzed, 15 were phenotypically positive for V. cholerae O1 Ogawa and were confirmed by genotypic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis highlighted an epidemic clone closely related to Nigerian strains. The strains were resistant to ampicillin and nalidixic acid and sensitive to ciprofloxacin and doxycycline. All the strains carried the same resistance genes; however, one strain carried additional resistance genes. The virulence genes ctxA/B, tcpA/B, toxT, and zot were also identified in all the strains.
These results reveal the emergence of a virulent and multiresistant strain of V. cholerae O1 Ogawa in the Republic of the Congo, closely related to Nigerian strains. Its control requires cross-border coordination focused on genomic surveillance and mass vaccination.

PMID:
42656652
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 27 Aug 2026.

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