Aeromonas wound infection in burns

Infection of burn patients with the Aeromonas organism is an uncommon event. This paper documents four cases of Aeromonas hydrophila and one case involving both A. hydrophila and A. caviae occurring in burn patients between 1990 and 1998 at the Royal Brisbane Hospital burns unit. The organism was isolated from either skin swabs, tissue samples, blood cultures or cultured lines. In all patients there was a history of immersion in water immediately post burn. There is one case of invasion and destruction of deeper tissues and one fatality. Appropriate management requires a high index of suspicion if a history of immersion in untreated water post burn is given and the treatment involves aggressive excision and antibiotic therapy.