Aeromonas spp.: An Emerging Nosocomial Pathogen

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Aeromonads are Gram-negative bacteria prevalent in aquatic environments and soil.
• They are increasingly recognized as significant zoonotic and human pathogens, particularly causing enteric and extraintestinal infections.
• Factors like biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance contribute to their pathogenicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive systematic review of the available literature on Aeromonas species.
• To highlight the emerging role of Aeromonas as a human pathogen.
• To discuss virulence factors, antibiotic resistance patterns, and clinical significance.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies on Aeromonas spp.
• Analysis of epidemiological data, virulence factors, and antibiotic susceptibility.
• Synthesis of findings on clinical manifestations and treatment.

Main Results:

• Aeromonads are distributed globally, with higher bacteremia incidence reported in Southern Taiwan compared to Western countries.
• High case fatality rates (27.5–46%) are associated with Aeromonas bacteremia.
• Aeromonads exhibit inherent resistance to certain antibiotics (e.g., penicillin) but susceptibility to others (e.g., cephalosporins, carbapenems, aminoglycosides).

Conclusions:

• Aeromonads pose a significant public health threat due to their virulence and antibiotic resistance.
• Effective treatment strategies require understanding their susceptibility patterns.
• Further research is needed to combat the growing challenge of Aeromonas infections.