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Phenotypic markers associated with gastrointestinal Aeromonas hydrophila isolates from symptomatic children
Insights
Aeromonas hydrophila gastroenteritis is a significant cause of diarrhea in children, especially during summer. This study found 12 pediatric cases with symptoms like bloody diarrhea, with some requiring hospitalization.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Aeromonas hydrophila is an opportunistic pathogen.
- Gastroenteritis in children can have various causes.
- Understanding virulence factors is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and characteristics of Aeromonas hydrophila gastroenteritis in pediatric patients.
- To identify virulence factors associated with disease severity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 12 pediatric cases of Aeromonas hydrophila gastroenteritis.
- Phenotypic characterization of bacterial isolates, including cytotoxicity assays and virulence marker analysis.
Main Results:
- All 12 Aeromonas hydrophila isolates were cytotoxic to HeLa cells.
- 75% of isolates were lysine decarboxylase positive.
- A correlation was observed between specific virulence markers and disease severity in two cases.
Conclusions:
- Aeromonas hydrophila is a notable cause of pediatric gastroenteritis, particularly in warmer months.
- Cytotoxicity and specific virulence markers may contribute to disease severity.
- Increased awareness of Aeromonas hydrophila as a pediatric pathogen is warranted.
Abstract:
Aeromonas hydrophila gastroenteritis was detected in 12 pediatric patients during a 5-month period. Chief complaints included bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Severe symptoms in two patients necessitated hospitalization and supportive care. Phenotypic characteristics associated with enterotoxigenicity of A. hydrophila strains demonstrated that all 12 isolates were cytotoxic to HeLa cells and most were lysine decarboxylase positive (75%). A correlation existed between the presence of the five virulence-associated markers of two isolates of A. hydrophila and the severity of disease. Although the length and symptoms of gastroenteritis varied among all 12 patients, most had self-limiting diarrhea. The frequent occurrence of A. hydrophila gastroenteritis in pediatric patients warrants a greater appreciation of this agent as a significant cause of diarrhea, especially in summer.