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Production of an enterotoxin by a gastro-enteritis-associated Aeromonas strain

C J Trower, S Abo, K N Majeed1

  • 1Departments of Medicinal Chemistry and *Pharmaceutics, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.

Journal of Medical Microbiology
|February 12, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Motile Aeromonas species can cause gastrointestinal infections. This study identified a heat-labile, cholera toxin-like enterotoxin from Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria, highlighting public health concerns in food products.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Food Safety

Background:

  • Motile Aeromonas species are increasingly recognized as enteropathogens.
  • Diarrheal symptoms in Aeromonas-associated gastroenteritis are often linked to enterotoxins.
  • Vulnerable populations include children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the enterotoxigenic potential of motile Aeromonas isolates.
  • To characterize an enterotoxin produced by Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria.
  • To assess the public health implications of Aeromonas enterotoxins in food.

Main Methods:

  • Tested 15 Aeromonas isolates (A. caviae, A. hydrophila, A. veronii biovar sobria) for enterotoxin production using the suckling mouse technique.
  • Purified a 40 kDa enterotoxin from A. veronii biovar sobria AS15 using Sephacryl S-100 and HPLC.
  • Assessed enterotoxin characteristics including heat stability and cross-reactivity with cholera toxin antibodies.

Main Results:

  • Eight of the 15 Aeromonas isolates produced enterotoxin.
  • A. veronii biovar sobria strain AS15 exhibited the highest enterotoxin activity.
  • The purified 40 kDa enterotoxin induced significant fluid accumulation in infant mice and cross-reacted with cholera toxin antibodies.
  • The enterotoxin was inactivated by heating at 56°C for 10 minutes.

Conclusions:

  • Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria can produce a 'cholera-like' enterotoxin.
  • The presence of such enterotoxins in isolates from animal sources indicates potential public health risks associated with food products.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the full impact of Aeromonas enterotoxins on food safety.

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