Abstract: ObjectiveTo assess the epidemic type and antibiotic resistance of cholere strains isolated and to provide basis for clinical treatment and prevention of cholera.MethodsSix samples from an outbreak of cholera epidemic were collected in Hainan province in June 2008 and analyzed by serotyping and phage-biotyping.The cholera toxin gene was detected with PCR according to the "Manual for the Prevention and Control of Cholera"(version 5).Pulsed field gel electrophoresis(PFGE)was used for subtyping of the isolates.The antibiotic susceptibility test of the 6 strains to 17 kinds of antibacterial was determined with improved K-B method recommended by WHO.ResultsThe 6 strains were confirmed as Vibrio cholerae El Tor biotype,with 5 strains of O1 group of Vibrio cholerae El Tor serotype Inaba 1c and 1 strains was Vibrio cholerae Ogawa(1c).The cholera toxin gene was identified in all 6 strains.The mapping of the strains were belonged to tw o pattern by PFGE and the similarity was 100%.The 6 strains were all resistant to streptomycin,sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim,sulphafurazole,and polymyxin B.High drug susceptibility of the samples was found to 9 kinds of antibiotics such as norfloxacin,cefotaxime and cephalothin(53%,9/17).ConclusionThe bacterium type of Vibrio cholerae causing the epidemic outbreak of cholera was O1 group of Vibrio cholerae El Tor serotype Inaba 1c.Norfloxacin,cefotaxime and cephalothin could be the choice of clinical treatment for the cases and carriers of Vibrio cholerae in Hainan province.But streptomycin,sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim,sulphafurazole,and polymyxin B could not be used.