Journal of Applied Sciences1812-56541812-5662Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jas.2007.1785.1789Sagir AhmedMd. RaknuzzamanMd. AktherHafeza AhmedSumaiya 122007713A study was conducted on association of Vibrio cholerae with plankton specially emphasis on cyanobacteria in relation to some physico-chemical parameters in the River Buriganga, Dhaka, from January to December 2002. Monthly abundance of phytoplankton and zooplankton varied from 457 to 14166 and from 169 to 1055 individual L-1, respectively. Monthly average of faecal coliform in water, zooplankton and phytoplankton samples were 3.99x109, 4.54x103 and 4.28x102 (CFU L-1), respectively. During epidemics, toxigenic V. cholerae 01 and 0139 were isolated from the patients as well as from the surface water. V. cholerae 01 and 0139 were also isolated from plankton samples. More over, it was observed that ctx (cholera toxic) positive in water and phytoplankton samples of the river. A bloom of Oscillatoria sp. (1.6x104 individual L-1) occurred in the upper reaches of the River Buriganga in May 2002. Methanol-water extract of bloom sample was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection and Mass Spectrum (MS) detected microcystin-RR. Cyanobacteria are abundant in the aquatic environment of Bangladesh and it was established that V. cholerae maintain a symbiotic relationship with these algae particularly mucilaginous cyanobacteria. During epidemics, patients symptoms included diarrhea, vomiting and hemorrhagic enteritis and in severe cases hemorrhagic diarrhea. So, question has arisen that which is responsible, microcystins or cholera for death of cholera/diarrhea patients in Bangladesh. Future research should be directed to isolate microcystins and cholera toxins from the epidemic areas to clarify the fact.]]>Ahmed, M.S., S. Hiller and B. Luckas,2007Microcystis aerigunosa bloom and the occurrence of microcystin from a freshwater eutrophic Lake in Comilla, Bangladesh.]]>2007Colwell, R.R.,199627420252031Huq, A., R.R. Colwell, R. Rahaman, A. Ali and M.A.R. Chowdhury et al., 1990Vibrio cholerae 01 in the aquatic environment by fluorescent-monoclonal antibody and culture methods.]]>5623702373Huq, A., S. Islam, E. Russek-Cohen, M. Yunus and A. Aziz et al.,20012001pp: 15Islam, M.S.,1990Vibrio cholerae 01 during survival with a green alga Rhizoclonium fontanum in an artificial aquatic environment.]]>34557563Islam, A.K.M.,19911991pp: 97-153pp: 97-153Islam, M.S., M.J. Alam and P.K.B. Neogi,1992Vibrio cholerae non 01 isolated from different components of pond ecosystems of Dhaka city, Bangladesh.]]>8160163Islam, M.S., B.S. Drasar and R.B. Sack,1994Vibrio cholerae. A review.]]>128796Keasler, S. and R.H. Hall,1993Vibrio cholerae 01 with multiple polymerase chain reaction.]]>34116611661Khan, M.U., M. Shahidullah, M.S. Haque and W.U. Ahmed,198436335340Kogure, K., U. Simidu and N. Taga,197925415420Lipp, E.K., A. Huq and R.R. Colwell,200215757770Mansur, K.A.,1961Vibrio cholarae.]]>55440445Mellenby, H.,1979Needham, J.G. and P.R. Needham,1966Pollitzer, R.,19591959Roszak, D.B. and R.R. Colwell,198751365379Siddique, K., A.H. Zaman, K. Baqui, P. Akram and A. Mutsuddy et al.,1992107986Torres, C.C.,2001111Ward, H.B. and G.C. Whipple,19592nd Edn.,Welch, P.S.,1983Welker, M., I. Chorus and J. Fastner,20042004West, P.A. and R.R. Colwell,19841984pp: 263-285pp: 263-285WHO.,19971997WHO.,20002000Xu, H.S., N.C. Roberts, F.L. Singleton, R.W. Attwell, D.J. Grimes and R.R. Colwell,1982Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae in the estuarine and marine environment.]]>8313323