Genomic Diversity of Toxigenic Strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 Biovar El Tor Isolated During Three Waves of the 7th Cholera Pandemic

It is shown that, over the past two decades, the agent genome underwent a rather rapid change resulting in emergence of various genovariants. A change in the pathogen variants in Russia has been established. Strains combining genetic markers of hyper-virulence and multiple drug resistance are of particular concern. Genome variability of the strains identified points at a need for constant genomic surveillance to obtain data on altering epidemically important properties for timely generation of new diagnostic and preventive means.