Vibrio Parahaemolyticus Gastroenteritis During, the El Tor Cholera Epidemic in Togo (West Africa)

In the course of the El Tor cholera epidemic in Togo (West Africa), Vibrio parahaemolyticus was identified as the causative agent of a cholera-like gastroenteritis. From September 1971 to March 1973 81 cases were confirmed bacteriologically. Seventy patients developed cholera-like symptoms and at first were wrongly diagnosed as cholera cases; 6 other patients were simultaneoulsy infected with El Tor vibrios and V. parachaemolyticus. There was a markedly higher incidence in males than in females. Only sporadic cases occurred, and outbreaks and secondary cases have not been observed. It is suggested that V. parahaemolyticus might be an important agent of acute gastroenteritis on the coast of West Africa.