Enterotoxigenic aeromonads on retail lamb meat and offal

Enrichment in alkaline peptone water was compared with the direct plating method for the isolation of Aeromonas spp. from lamb meat and offal samples. The enrichment method significantly increased the isolation rate of aeromonads. Motile Aeromonas species ( A. hydrophila, A. sobria and A. caviae ) were present in all kinds of samples investigated. Seventy-three Aeromonas strains isolated in this survey were characterized to species level and examined for their ability to produce virulence factors. Strains identified as A. sobria were the strongest producers of haemolysin and enterotoxin, whereas A. caviae strains were consistently non-haemolytic and non-enterotoxigenic. Thus it is likely that lamb meat and offal are potentially significant sources of virulent Aeromonas species and may play an important role in the aetiology of Aeromonas -associated gastro-enteritis.     

Enterotoxigenic aeromonads on retail lamb meat and offal

Enrichment in alkaline peptone water was compared with the direct plating method for the isolation of Aeromonas spp. from lamb meat and offal samples. The enrichment method significantly increased the isolation rate of aeromonads. Motile Aeromonas species (A. hydrophila, A. sobria and A. caviae) were present in all kinds of samples investigated. Seventy-three Aeromonas strains isolated in this survey were characterized to species level and examined for their ability to produce virulence factors. Strains identified as A. sobria were the strongest producers of haemolysin and enterotoxin, whereas A. caviae strains were consistently non-haemolytic and non-enterotoxigenic. Thus it is likely that lamb meat and offal are potentially significant sources of virulent Aeromonas species and may play an important role in the aetiology of Aeromonas-associated gastro-enteritis.     

The prevalence of campylobacters and arcobacters in broiler chickens

Chicken carcasses from a supermarket and from a poultry abattoir were examined using methods designed to isolate as many strains of campylobacters and related organisms as possible. Strains of arcobacter, but no campylobacters, were isolated from every carcass after enrichment. Campylobacter jejuni subsp. jejuni was isolated from all carcasses examined by direct plating and other Campylobacter -like strains were isolated from nine out of 15 abattoir carcasses by direct plating but not after enrichment. Only the Camp. jejuni subsp. jejuni strains could be identified to species level using a readily available identification scheme and/or a commercial identification kit. Examination of caecal contents from the 15 abattoir poultry yielded Camp. jejuni subsp. jejuni and Campylobacter -like strains from 15 and eight by direct plating, and from six and nine after enrichment, respectively. Four sites in the intestine of the abattoir birds (60 samples) were examined for arcobacters and only one strain was isolated. This indicates that arcobacters are probably not normal inhabitants of the poultry intestine. Poultry is a rich source of other campylobacteria besides the thermophilic Campylobacter spp.     

Survival ability of cytotoxic strains of motile Aeromonas spp. in different types of water

The ability of motile Aeromonas spp. to survive in drinking water (mineral and tap water) and in sea water was experimentally tested. Clinically isolated cytotoxic strains of A. hydrophila, A. caviae and A. sobria were selected for this study. After contamination of water samples, the survival of Aeromonas strains was studied for at least three months using viable counts. The results obtained show that the survival of the Aeromonas spp. varies considerably depending on species and water type. For all three species, the survival time was longest in mineral water, where viable bacteria of each strain were still detected after 100 d. Moreover, A hydrophila and A. caviae also re-grew on the first day. In tap water all strains showed marked survival, although to a lesser extent than in mineral water. Aeromonas cells showed a rapid decline in sea water (90% reduction in viable cells after about two d) and thus seem to be more sensitive to saline/marine stress than chlorination.     

Comparative studies on Aeromonas strains isolated from Lakes Balaton (Hungary) and Fertó/Neusiedlersee (Hungary)

Ecological and comparative taxonomic investigations were carried out on 49 Aeromonas strains isolated from water samples of two moderately alkaline lakes of Hungary, Lake Balaton and Lake Fertó/Neusiedlersee together with 3 authentic strains of Aeromonas hydrophila. Five phena were created at greater than 92% similarity value using the UPGMA method with the Jaccard coefficient. Strains isolated from Lake Balaton were determined as A. hydrophila, while strains originated from Lake Fertó were identified as A. hydrophila and A. sobria. The Fertó isolates of A. hydrophila grew only at higher salt concentration (5% NaCl). This might be an adaptation to the higher salt contents in the water of Lake Fertó. However, no specific differences were detected in their behaviour against alkaline pH values. The wide range of their degradative enzymes indicate that aeromonads can play an important role in nutrient cycling.     

Significance of sinking particles in the distribution of motile Aeromonas during the winter season.

The role of sinking particles in the distribution of motile Aeromonas species was studied during the winter season. Various environmental parameters and microbial populations were investigated to elucidate the relationship with motile aeromonads. Motile Aeromonas species were enumerated by most probable number technique with alkaline peptone water as the enrichment medium and modified pril-xylose ampicillin agar as the plating medium. Aeromonas species were isolated in a water column in any one of the two procedures but sediment and plankton samples exhibited an irregular isolation pattern for these organisms. Aeoromonas species were continuously isolated in sinking particles with the highest counts during January. Of the 206 isolates identified, three known motile Aeromonas species were observed of which A. caviae accounted for 51.4% of the total. Toxin characterization showed that 20% of the strains produced haemolysin as well as cytotoxin, and A. hydrophila was highly toxigenic. Statistical analyses revealed that nutrients govern the distribution of Aeromonas. It may be that riverine discharge influences the distribution of motile aeromonads in this environment.     

The occurrence of aerolysin-positive Aeromonas spp. and their cytotoxicity in Norwegian water sources

Aims:  The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of Aeromonas spp. and their aerolysin status in Norwegian natural water sources.
Methods and Results:  Seventy-one samples from 33 Norwegian water sources were examined for the presence of Aeromonas spp. From most of the sample sites, the strains were isolated on blood-ampicillin-agar and Difco Aeromonas agar simultaneously. The majority of the samples (73/77) contained Aeromonas spp., with an average of 35–100 cfu 100 ml^–1. The highest counts were found in faecally-contaminated water. Using PCR, 445 isolates were screened for the presence of aerolysin, and 79% of them were found to be carriers of the aerolysin gene. A selection of the isolated strains was tested on Vero cell cultures and 83% of them showed cytotoxicity.
Conclusions:  There is widespread occurrence of aerolysin-positive cytotoxic Aeromonas spp. in many different Norwegian natural waters, including drinking water sources.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The widespread occurrence of potentially-pathogenic Aeromonas spp. in the environment demands that these bacteria should not be ignored in drinking water supplies and in the food industry.     

Characterization of Aeromonas and Vibrio species isolated from a drinking water reservoir

AIMS: To study the phenotypic and chemotaxonomic (i.e. phospholipid and cellular fatty acid composition) characteristics of environmental Aeromonas spp. and Vibrio spp. isolated from a drinking water reservoir near Vladivostok City, and the application of some chemotaxonomic markers for discrimination of the two genera and species. METHODS AND RESULTS: Presumptive Aeromonas species were dominant in surface water samples (up to 25% of the total number of bacteria recovered). These strains were consistent with respect to the cultural and biochemical properties used to define the species Aeromonas sobria (seven strains) and Aer. popoffii (three strains). Vibrio mimicus (two strains) and Vibrio metschnikovii (one strain) were identified according to phenotypic features and cellular fatty acid composition. CONCLUSION: Environmental Aer. sobria isolates were atypical in their ability to grow at 42 degrees C, and were haemolytic, proteolytic and cytotoxic. Although it was present in a high proportion in the water samples, atypical Aer. sobria is not an indicator of polluted water. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The incidence of Aeromonas in the drinking water reservoirs in the Far East of Russia is reported for the first time.     

Application of ribotyping for differentiating aeromonads isolated from clinical and environmental sources.

We have investigated the usefulness of ribotyping for the differentiation of aeromonads isolated from five patients with gastroenteritis and from the source water, treatment plant, and distribution system of a small public water supply. Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas caviae were isolated from fecal specimens preserved in Cary-Blair transport medium by using blood ampicillin agar or alkaline peptone water (pH 8.4) subcultured to blood ampicillin agar plates. A. hydrophila, Aeromonas sobria, and A. caviae were isolated from duplicate 100-ml water samples by the membrane filter technique by using ampicillin dextrin agar for quantitative determination of growth and alkaline peptone water enrichment for detection of the presence or absence of aeromonads below the detection limit of the membrane filter method. In addition, free chlorine residuals and pH values were determined for all water samples and heterotrophic plate counts and total and fecal coliform analyses were performed on them. Ribotyping patterns of aeromonads recovered from well 1, detention basin, sand filter, softener, and distribution samples were compared with those of the five clinical isolates. All patient strains were unique; however, identical ribotypes of A. hydrophila and A. sobria isolated from multiple sites in the water system indicated colonization of a well, sand filters, and the softener, with the potential for sporadic contamination of distribution water. Plant operational deficiencies were noted and corrected. Ribotyping can effectively differentiate otherwise indistinguishable strains of bacteria, thus providing a powerful tool for investigation of waterborne diseases and bacteriological problems within water treatment plants and distribution systems.     

Application of ribotyping for differentiating aeromonads isolated from clinical and environmental sources.

We have investigated the usefulness of ribotyping for the differentiation of aeromonads isolated from five patients with gastroenteritis and from the source water, treatment plant, and distribution system of a small public water supply. Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas caviae were isolated from fecal specimens preserved in Cary-Blair transport medium by using blood ampicillin agar or alkaline peptone water (pH 8.4) subcultured to blood ampicillin agar plates. A. hydrophila, Aeromonas sobria, and A. caviae were isolated from duplicate 100-ml water samples by the membrane filter technique by using ampicillin dextrin agar for quantitative determination of growth and alkaline peptone water enrichment for detection of the presence or absence of aeromonads below the detection limit of the membrane filter method. In addition, free chlorine residuals and pH values were determined for all water samples and heterotrophic plate counts and total and fecal coliform analyses were performed on them. Ribotyping patterns of aeromonads recovered from well 1, detention basin, sand filter, softener, and distribution samples were compared with those of the five clinical isolates. All patient strains were unique; however, identical ribotypes of A. hydrophila and A. sobria isolated from multiple sites in the water system indicated colonization of a well, sand filters, and the softener, with the potential for sporadic contamination of distribution water. Plant operational deficiencies were noted and corrected. Ribotyping can effectively differentiate otherwise indistinguishable strains of bacteria, thus providing a powerful tool for investigation of waterborne diseases and bacteriological problems within water treatment plants and distribution systems.     

Biochemical identification and numerical taxonomy of Aeromonas spp. isolated from environmental and clinical samples in Spain

AIMS: To study the phenotypic characteristics of Aeromonas spp. from environmental and clinical samples in Spain and to cluster these strains by numerical taxonomy. METHODS AND RESULTS: A collection of 202 Aeromonas strains isolated from bivalve molluscs, water and clinical samples was tested for 64 phenotypic properties; 91% of these isolates were identified at species level. Aeromonas caviae was predominant in bivalve molluscs and Aerom. bestiarum in freshwater samples. Cluster analyses revealed eight different phena: three containing more than one DNA-DNA hybridization group but including strains that belong to the same phenospecies complex (Aerom. hydrophila, Aerom. sobria and Aerom. caviae), Aerom. encheleia, Aerom. trota and three containing unidentified Aeromonas strains isolated from bivalve molluscs. CONCLUSIONS:Aeromonas spp. are widely distributed in environmental and clinical sources. A selection of 16 of the phenotypical tests chosen allowed the identification of most isolates (91%), although some strains remain unidentified, mainly isolates from bivalve molluscs, suggesting the presence of new Aeromonas species. Numerical taxonomy was not in total concordance with the identification of the studied strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Numerical taxonomy of Aeromonas strains isolated from different sources revealed the presence of potentially pathogenic Aeromonas spp., especially in bivalve molluscs, and phena with unidentified strains that suggest new Aeromonas species.     

Interactions of clinical and environmental Aeromonas isolates with Caco-2 and HT29 intestinal epithelial cells

AIM: Evaluation of adherence and invasion of Aeromonas spp. to human colon carcinoma cell lines Caco-2 and HT29 and assessment of cytotoxic activity. METHODS AND RESULTS: A number of 27 strains of Aeromonas caviae and 23 strains of Aeromonas hydrophila was analysed. All strains were capable to adhere to sub-confluent monolayers of Caco-2 and HT29 cell types, presenting aggregative and diffuse adherence patterns cells, respectively. In the cytotoxic assays all strains showed cytopathic and/or cytotoxic activities to Vero cells. The evaluation of the tetrazolium salt (MTT test) reduction capability was carried out in Vero, Caco-2, and HT29 cells. MTT test showed that Vero cell line was the most sensitive cell type. In the invasion test, 13 strains were analysed on Caco-2 and HT29 monolayers. Only two (15%) of the 13 strains, A. hydrophila and A. caviae species, both isolated from vegetables were invasive to Caco-2 cells. No strains were able to invade the HT29 cells. CONCLUSIONS: A. hydrophila and A. caviae isolated from human diarrhoeic faeces, vegetables, and water, were able to adhere to and produce cytotoxic/cytopathic effects in intestinal epithelial cell lines. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The presence of Aeromonas spp. in food and water samples expressing virulence factors suggest that these sources may act as dissemination vehicles of human pathogen with implication in the public health.     

Genetic diversity and antimicrobial susceptibility of motile aeromonads isolated from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum) farms

A total of 22 motile Aeromonas strains were detected in 48 (18.53%) of 259 fish and 6 (10.71%) of 56 water samples obtained from seven commercial rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss , Walbaum) farms in the province of Mersin, Turkey. These strains were identified by conventional microbiological techniques and by using an ID32GN system. Of these isolates 20 (91.3%) were identified as Aeromonas hydrophila and 2 (8.7%) as Aeromonas sobria . While 8 of the A. hydrophila strains were isolated from water samples, 12 isolates were from fish samples. Whereas A. hydrophila strains were found in all farms, A. sobria was detected in only two farms. Genetic diversity by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) and antimicrobial sensitivity tests were carried out on eight A. hydrophila isolates obtained from water samples, and isolates from seven A. hydrophila and one A. sobria from fish samples. The AP-PCR band patterns of motile aeromonads demonstrated weak similarity to the A. hydrophila reference strain ATCC 7966. Five A. hydrophila strains in the water samples displayed genetic similarity, but three others were different. Aeromonas hydrophila isolates from fish samples possessed slight similarities, and A. sobria was genetically distant to all A. hydrophila strains. An antimicrobial sensitivity test of 16 isolates revealed that 100% were sensitive to gentamicin, 87.5% to sulphamethoxazole–trimethoprim, 62.5% to enrofloxacin, 43.8% to oxytetracycline, 37.5% to neomycin, 18.75% to streptomycin and 6.25% to erythromycin. All isolates were resistant to novobiocin.     

Distribution and survival of motile Aeromonas spp. in brackish water receiving sewage treatment effluent.

The spatiotemporal distributions of Aeromonas spp. and fecal coliforms in a cove receiving sewage treatment effluent and draining into a brackish lagoon were studied for 34 months with sampling at six stations. A total of 452 strains of Aeromonas spp. were isolated and identified at the outflow of the treatment system and at stations in the cove. Hemolytic activity of 289 Aeromonas strains was determined. The Aeromonas spp. and fecal coliform distributions showed seasonal cycles in the pond effluent. These seasonal bacterial cycles were persistent in effluent, at the discharge point, and in the cove. However, the abundance levels of these bacterial distributions decreased gradually from the coast to the open lagoon. A dilution model showed that the Aeromonas spp. and fecal coliform distributions in the cove water were subject not only to dilution effect but also to other environmental factors, such as salinity. A. sobria is the most common species identified in the Aeromonas population present in the cove water. Survival studies confirmed that Aeromonas spp., especially A. sobria, were more sensitive to saline and/or marine stress than fecal coliforms. Among the Aeromonas hydrophila and A. sobria strains, 96 and 97%, respectively, produced hemolysin, whereas among the Aeromonas caviae strains, 95% were nonhemolytic.     

Distribution and survival of motile Aeromonas spp. in brackish water receiving sewage treatment effluent.

The spatiotemporal distributions of Aeromonas spp. and fecal coliforms in a cove receiving sewage treatment effluent and draining into a brackish lagoon were studied for 34 months with sampling at six stations. A total of 452 strains of Aeromonas spp. were isolated and identified at the outflow of the treatment system and at stations in the cove. Hemolytic activity of 289 Aeromonas strains was determined. The Aeromonas spp. and fecal coliform distributions showed seasonal cycles in the pond effluent. These seasonal bacterial cycles were persistent in effluent, at the discharge point, and in the cove. However, the abundance levels of these bacterial distributions decreased gradually from the coast to the open lagoon. A dilution model showed that the Aeromonas spp. and fecal coliform distributions in the cove water were subject not only to dilution effect but also to other environmental factors, such as salinity. A. sobria is the most common species identified in the Aeromonas population present in the cove water. Survival studies confirmed that Aeromonas spp., especially A. sobria, were more sensitive to saline and/or marine stress than fecal coliforms. Among the Aeromonas hydrophila and A. sobria strains, 96 and 97%, respectively, produced hemolysin, whereas among the Aeromonas caviae strains, 95% were nonhemolytic.     

A method for the enumeration of Aeromonas bacteriophage in aquatic environments

K.P. FLINT. 1996. Bacteriophage were isolated against type strains and environmental isolates of Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas sobria and Aeromonas caviae . A most probable number method for estimating the number of bacteriophage in a water sample was devised and tested using some of these isolates. The maximum number of bacteriophage against all three type strains were found in water from below a sewage effluent outfall. This corresponds to the increased numbers of each species of bacterium also found in this water sample. High numbers of bacteriophage against Aer. hydrophila were also found in the lake sample examined. Bacteriophage against Aer. caviae were rare in water samples other than those contaminated with sewage effluent.     

Prevalence and virulence properties of Vibrio cholerae non-O1, Aeromonas spp. and Plesiomonas shigelloides isolated from Cambé Stream (State of Paraná, Brazil)

The incidence of Vibrio cholerae, Aeromonas spp. and Plesiomonas shigelloides was determined in water samples from Cambé Stream. The samples were collected from seven different sites. The serogroups, virulence markers and drug resistance profiles were also evaluated. Twelve Aer. hydrophila, 12Aer. caviae, eight Aer. sobria, seven Ple. shigelloides and two V. cholerae non-O1 were isolated. They belonged to different serogroups and all produced haemolysis in different assays. Five of the Aeromonas strains and one of V cholerae non-O1 were positive for enterotoxin activity. Haemagglutination and its inhibition, using erythrocytes of different origins, was variable for Aeromonas spp. and V. cholerae, while none of the Ple. shigelloides haemagglutinated in association with any type of erythrocyte. All isolates exhibited multiple drug resistance. These results indicate that the occurrence of V. cholerae non-O1, Aeromonas spp. and Ple. shigelloides, in water used for vegetable irrigation, human recreation and animal consumption, among others, represents a potential risk for humans.     

Use of 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside for the isolation of beta-galactosidase-positive bacteria from municipal water supplies

A new medium, mX-Gal, has been developed for the membrane filter enumeration of beta-galactosidase-positive bacteria in municipal water supplies. mX-Gal medium contains the chromogenic beta-galactosidase substrate 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (X-Gal). All Aeromonas, Citrobacter, and Enterobacter strains isolated from raw water on mX-Gal medium were beta-galactosidase positive. In contrast, only 10 to 20% of these strains produced a red colony with a metallic sheen on m-Endo agar LES medium. Of 674 chlorinated water samples analyzed for total coliforms on m-Endo agar LES medium and for beta-galactosidase-positive bacteria on mX-Gal medium, 18 that were negative for coliforms on m-Endo agar LES showed beta-galactosidase-positive bacteria on mX-Gal. Of a total of 50 beta-galactosidase-positive bacteria isolated from these samples, 76% were identified as Aeromonas hydrophila.     

Importance of flagella and enterotoxins for Aeromonas virulence in a mouse model

A genetic characterization of eight virulence factor genes, elastase, lipase, polar flagella (flaA/flaB, flaG), lateral flagella (lafA), and the enterotoxins alt, act, and ast, was performed using polymerase chain reaction with 55 drinking water and nine clinical isolates. When 16 Aeromonas hydrophila strains, seven Aeromonas veronii strains, and seven Aeromonas caviae strains exhibiting different combinations of virulence factor genes were tested in immunocompromised mice by intraperitoneal injection, only those strains that had one or more of the enterotoxins flaA, flaB, and either flaG or lafA showed signs of being virulent. The correlation was seen in 97% (29/30) of the strains, which included strains from drinking water. Thus, Aeromonas water isolates have the potential to be pathogenic in immunocompromised hosts.     

Diversity, persistence, and virulence of Aeromonas strains isolated from drinking water distribution systems in Sweden.

The Aeromonas populations in 13 Swedish drinking water distribution systems, representing different treatments, were investigated. From each system, water samples were collected four times during the period from May to September 1994 from raw water and water after treatment and at two to five sites within the distribution system. In total, 220 water samples were collected. From samples containing presumptive Aeromonas, up to 32 colonies were analyzed by the PhenePlate Aeromonas (PhP-AE) system, which is a highly discriminating biochemical fingerprinting method. Selected isolates from different phenotypes (PhP types) were further identified by the API 20 NE system and by gas-liquid chromatography analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). Selected isolates were also assayed for their potential to produce hemolysin and cytotoxin and for their ability to adhere to human intestinal cells. In total, 117 water samples (53%) contained presumptive Aeromonas which numbered up to 10(6) CFU/100 ml in raw water and up to 750 CFU/100 ml in tap water. Among the 2,117 isolates that were subjected to typing by the PhP-AE system, more than 300 distinct PhP types were found, of which the majority occurred only sporadically. Raw (surface) water samples usually contained many different PhP types, showing high diversity indices (Di) (median Di = 0.95). The Aeromonas populations in samples collected from within the distribution systems were less diverse (median Di = 0.58) and were often dominated by one major PhP type that was found on several sampling occasions. Seventeen such major PhP types could be found and were represented in 1,037 isolates (49%). Identification by API 20 NE and FAME analysis revealed that most of the major PhP types were Aeromonas hydrophila or belonged to unidentified Aeromonas species. Hemolysin and cytotoxin production was observed in most major PhP types (representing 87 and 54% of the assayed isolates, respectively), and adherence was found in 89% of the isolates that produced cytotoxin. Thus, the data presented here show that although raw water may contain very diverse Aeromonas populations, the populations seemed to be remarkably stable within the studied water distribution systems, and that some potentially pathogenic Aeromonas strains could persist for several months in drinking water.