Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Vibriophage Universiti Sains Malaysia 8 (VPUSM 8), a bacteriophage that destroys bacteria, in managing the proliferation of Vibrio cholerae, specifically the El Tor serotype, as an alternate therapeutic strategy. Methods: The study entailed subjecting water samples from Kelantan, Malaysia, to reproduce the natural circumstances that promote the growth of V. cholerae. Subsequently, the samples were contaminated with the V. cholerae O1 El Tor Inaba strain and treated using VPUSM 8. The study employed a controlled experimental design, wherein the samples were divided into three groups, each experiencing different treatment methods. Quantifying the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) and plaque-forming units (PFUs) using serial dilution methods and agar plate cultures was part of the evaluation of VPUSM 8. Results: The study showed a notable decrease in V. cholerae populations in the groups treated with phages compared to the control group. The group that got an additional dose of VPUSM 8 had a more significant reduction in bacterial count. Conclusion: This work emphasises the potential of phage therapy, specifically VPUSM 8, as a practical approach to controlling cholera, particularly the El Tor Inaba strain of V. cholerae.
