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
