Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Cholera genome
Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026
Cholera genome: The genome of the bacterium called Vibrio cholerae that causes cholera. This genome contains over 4 million bases in its DNA including the sequences for nearly 4,000 genes.
The V. cholerae genome is remarkable in that it is arranged in two circular chromosomes. The larger of the two chromosomes has the usual housekeeping genes, similar to those, for example, of E. coli, the common colon bacillus. The smaller chromosome contains many of the genetic elements that make V. cholerae pathogenic (capable of causing disease).