Characterization of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida: a comparative study of strains of different geographic origin

A total of 130 strains of the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida isolated in Denmark, Norway, Scotland, Canada and the USA were examined. The strains originated from farmed salmonid fish. The biochemical, physiological and serological characteristics, antibiotic resistance patterns and cell surface-related properties were compared. Aeromonas salmonicida was found to be remarkably consistent in general cultural and biochemical characteristics. It is noteworthy that the strains were positive in the fermentation of L-arabinose and were negative in the fermentation of D-arabinose. All the strains were highly proteolytic. It was observed, however, that 5% of the strains did not digest calf and trout serum and the production of haemolysin and degradation of casein by the same strains were delayed compared with the other strains. Common to all of the rough strains were auto-aggregation and ability to bind the dyes Coomassie brilliant blue and Congo red and the majority of these strains were highly hydrophobic. The strains were tested for their susceptibility to 22 antibacterial agents. Antibiotic resistance profiles of Aer. salmonicida indicated that resistance to the quinolones and oxytetracycline was increasing and that multi-resistant strains were found in several countries. The variation found in antibiograms could have potential as epidemiological markers in certain geographic areas.