Characterization of Vibrio cholerae from the Jukskei River in Johannesburg, South Africa

The Jukskei River is a potential reservoir and vehicle for the transmission of enteric pathogens. It suffers from sewage pollution resulting from inflows of sewage from buildings with no sewage system and the informal settlements along the riverbanks. In South Africa, surveillance of enteric pathogens is limited to clinical specimens, and the presence of these pathogens in urban river water is poorly documented. The current study aimed to isolate and characterize Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae) isolated from the Jukskei River, one of the largest Rivers in Johannesburg, South Africa.