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Guided Protocol for Fecal Microbial Characterization by 16S rRNA-Amplicon Sequencing
Published on: March 19, 2018
Clinical associations of Aeromonas spp. in fecal specimens from children
Insights
Aeromonas species infections in children are increasingly reported. This study found Aeromonas in 33 children, often causing mild diarrhea and vomiting, with other pathogens sometimes present.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Human infections caused by Aeromonas species are reported with increasing frequency.
- Aeromonas species are Gram-negative bacteria that can cause a range of human infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical associations of Aeromonas species in the stools of children in the East End of London.
- To determine the frequency and clinical presentation of Aeromonas infections in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- 1012 unselected stool specimens from 799 children were examined for various pathogens, including Aeromonas species.
- Aeromonas species were identified by oxidase positivity, distinguishing them from Enterobacteriaceae.
- Associated pathogens and viral particles were also investigated using microbiological and electron microscopic techniques.
Main Results:
- Aeromonas species were identified in 33 children: Aeromonas hydrophila (16), Aeromonas sobria (9), and Aeromonas caviae (8).
- Associated pathogens included Salmonella typhimurium, Campylobacter species, Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, and Giardia lamblia.
- Clinical features in 25 children with isolated Aeromonas excretion included diarrhea (21), vomiting (10), abdominal pain (9), fever (4), and mild dehydration (2). Five patients had macroscopic blood loss in stools.
Conclusions:
- Aeromonas species can cause gastrointestinal illness in children, often presenting with mild and short-lived symptoms.
- While Aeromonas infections are generally mild, the presence of associated pathogens warrants further investigation.
- Increased surveillance for Aeromonas species in pediatric gastroenteritis cases is recommended.
Abstract:
Human infections caused by Aeromonas spp. are being reported with increased frequency. We examined 1012 unselected stool specimens from 799 children for various pathogens, including Aeromonas spp., to evaluate the clinical associations of Aeromonas spp. in the stools of children in the East End of London. A total of 33 children had positive cultures for Aeromonas spp. These were identified as: Aeromonas hydrophila (16), A. sobria (9), A. caviae (8). Aeromonas spp. were identified by being oxidase positive in character, a property that distinguishes Aeromonas spp. from Enterobacteriaceae. Associated pathogens included Salmonella typhimurium (1), Campylobacter spp. (3), Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (2), and Giardia lamblia (1). Electron microscopic examination of the stool of 13 children revealed viral particles in two, rotavirus (1), and coronavirus-like particles (1). The associated clinical features in the 25 children with only Aeromonas excretion were diarrhea (21), vomiting (10), abdominal pain (9), fever (4), and mild dehydration (2). Five patients had macroscopic blood loss in the stools. The illness was generally mild and lasted only a short time.
