Temperature as an environmental factor influencing the pathogenicity of Aeromonas hydrophila

Contamination of wounds by surface water and the aspiration of such water following an accident can lead to severe septic infection by A. hydrophila. As such water is often found at low temperatures, the question should be asked whether this particular water environment influences the pathogenicity of this organism. Some experiments have been undertaken to assess if the pathogenicity of A. hydrophila is affected by temperature. The pathogenicity of A. hydrophila adapted to the low temperature of ground and surface waters (10 degrees C) was tested in a mouse-model. The conclusions drawn from the experimental data indicate that the 50 per cent lethal dose of A. hydrophila suspensions are lower for those grown at low temperatures (10 degrees C) when compared to those grown at higher temperatures (30 degrees C). The generation and log phase periods support the above conclusion, in so far that low-temperature-adapted organisms, when exposed to high temperatures, grow faster than those organisms already adapted to higher temperatures.