Which of the following are the serotypes of cholera vibrios?

Appeared in: PGICH Noida NO-2025

Explanation

The O1 serogroup of Vibrio cholerae, which causes epidemic cholera, is subdivided into three serotypes based on its somatic 'O' antigen.
These three serotypes are named Ogawa, Inaba, and Hikojima.
Ogawa is the most frequently isolated serotype in clinical samples, followed by Inaba.
Hikojima is a rare and unstable transitional serotype that expresses antigens of both Ogawa and Inaba.

Option B: These are Greek letters and are not used for the serological classification of Vibrio cholerae.
Option C: These are Greek letters and do not represent the serotypes of Vibrio cholerae.
Option D: These terms are unrelated to cholera serotyping. 'Inertia' is a concept in physics, and 'saprophytic' is a general term for organisms that live on decaying matter.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Serological classification of Vibrio cholerae as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Serotyping is crucial for the epidemiological surveillance of cholera outbreaks. It helps public health officials track the source, spread, and evolution of the disease.
During an epidemic, a shift from one serotype to another (e.g., Ogawa to Inaba) can occur due to genetic mutations. Monitoring this shift is important for understanding the outbreak's dynamics.
What if? If a patient is infected with a non-O1, non-O139 V. cholerae strain, they might experience mild diarrhea, but it would not be classified as epidemic cholera. The public health response would be focused on the individual case rather than large-scale outbreak control measures.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question from microbiology.
First, identify the core of the question: it asks for the specific serotypes of Vibrio cholerae.
Scan the options. Notice that options B and C use generic Greek letters, which are common distractors in classification questions.
Analyze option D, which includes terms like 'Inertia' (from physics) and 'saprophytic' (a general biological term), making it highly unlikely to be correct.
Recall or recognize that 'Ogawa,' 'Inaba,' and 'Hikojima' are the classic serotypes associated with the O1 group of Vibrio cholerae.
Select the option that correctly lists these three specific names.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QGefCZFm1G3v0VNpvJzpx6

E6 Microbiology Essentials Sastry 4e Part 2 p. 2

E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 284-286

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 85-87

Practise the full PGICH Noida NO-2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.