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Aeromonas-associated diarrhoea in north India
S Ram1, S Khurana, S B Khurana
1Department of Microbiology and Medicine, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, India.
Abstract:
The incidence of Aeromonas-associated diarrhoea in patients attending the hospital attached to the Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India was investigated during May 1984-May 1987. Microbiological examination of single faecal samples from 2,661 patients showed the presence of various enteropathogens of which details of only Aeromonas isolations are given and discussed in the present article. A small control sample of 105 age-matched healthy volunteers were also examined. Only 55 patients (2.1% of all patients) showed Aeromonas spp. in their stool samples on culture. Aeromonas as a single pathogen was isolated from 37 patients and, from 18 patients it was mixed with other enteropathogens. Stools of healthy controls did not contain any pathogen. Seven of 25 isolates of A. caviae, all 18 isolates of A. sobria and all 7 isolates of A. hydrophilla were shown to be enterotoxigenic by rabbit ileal loop test. There was no immunological cross-reaction between Aeromonas enterotoxin and Escherichia coli labile toxin antiserum. The Aeromonas isolates were susceptible to most of the commonly used antimicrobial agents except ampicillin and cephalothin.
Insights
Aeromonas bacteria caused diarrhoea in 2.1% of patients in India. Most Aeromonas isolates were enterotoxigenic and susceptible to common antibiotics, except ampicillin and cephalothin.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Aeromonas species are recognized as potential enteropathogens.
- Diarrhoeal diseases remain a significant public health concern globally.
- Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of Aeromonas infections is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of Aeromonas-associated diarrhoea in patients in Ludhiana, India.
- To identify Aeromonas species and assess their enterotoxigenicity.
- To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolated Aeromonas strains.
Main Methods:
- Microbiological examination of faecal samples from 2,661 patients and 105 healthy controls.
- Isolation and identification of Aeromonas species.
- Enterotoxigenicity testing using the rabbit ileal loop assay.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against common agents.
Main Results:
- Aeromonas species were isolated from 2.1% of patients (55/2661).
- Enterotoxigenic strains included 7/25 A. caviae, all 18 A. sobria, and all 7 A. hydrophila isolates.
- No cross-reactivity was observed between Aeromonas enterotoxin and E. coli labile toxin.
- Most isolates were susceptible to common antimicrobial agents, but resistant to ampicillin and cephalothin.
Conclusions:
- Aeromonas species are an infrequent cause of diarrhoea in the studied population.
- Enterotoxigenic potential exists within A. caviae, A. sobria, and A. hydrophila.
- Antimicrobial resistance patterns highlight the need for judicious antibiotic selection in treating Aeromonas infections.