Aeromonas salmonicida: Trouble for Aquaculture with Drug Resistance

SalmonAeromonas salmonicida causes furunculosis in salmon hatcheries and in freshwater fish.  The organism has several recognized virulence mechanisms including the T3SS [1]. 

A. salmonicida has become resistant to penicillin, tetracycline and erythromycin.  It remains susceptible to chloramphenicol and aminoglycoside according to a publication from Romania [2] but another reference describes it as resistant to chloramphenicol and sulfonamides as well [3].  The frequent use of quinolones undoubtedly contributed to the rapid development of resistance to this drug class[4].  An attenuated live vaccine is available and widely used with good effect.

While considered non-pathogenic to humans, a recent case report from India describes a patient with positive blood cultures for A. salmonicida.  The organism was sensitive to multiple antibiotics.  Unfortunately, no history regarding exposure to fish is provided; the patient presented with a non-descript febrile illness which responded promptly to cefixime.[5]  Possible misidentification of A. salmonicida by automated bacterial identification systems (Vitek) make this case somewhat questionable.

By contrast, Vibrio salmonicida causes a septic disease.


 

References:

[1] Vanden Bergh.  http://www.proteomesci.com/content/11/1/42

[2] http://www.univagro-iasi.ro/revista_zoo/ro/documente/Pdf_Vol_57/Angelica_Docan.pdf

[3] http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Aeromonas_salmonicida

[4] Giraud. J Med Microbiol 2004;. 58: 895

[5] Tewari. http://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/4032/43-%206883_F(P)_PF1(PAK)_PFA(AK)_NEW.pdf

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