Scientists uncover defense system in deadly cholera strain

A deadly strain of cholera bacteria, originating in Indonesia in 1961, continues to claim thousands of lives annually worldwide. Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin discovered a unique defense system in the bacteria, published in Nature. Cholera infects 1.3-4 million people yearly, causing 21,000-143,000 deaths. The defense system targets plasmids, offering a potential avenue for new treatments. The study was funded by NIGMS and the Welch Foundation.