Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Xenopus laevis

Aeromonas hydrophila caused severe disease in a group of Xenopus laevis within 3 weeks of receipt. The primary clinical signs were marked pallor of the skin, petechiation, lethargy, anorexia, and edema. The duration of the outbreak was approximately 45 days during which time 21 frogs became sick and 18 died, despite tetracycline therapy. Pale skin, subcutaneous edema and hemorrhages, ascites, and pale livers were seen at necropsy. Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from skin, and the same organism was isolated in pure culture from skeletal muscle. Tetracycline treatment via stomach tube was effective if given early in the course of the disease. The outbreak was controlled by removing sick frogs, feeding twice per week, changing the water several hours after feeding, and maintaining the frogs where the ambient temperature was 22 degrees C or lower. The pallor of the skin and general malaise were produced experimentally by crowding normal frogs, changing the water infrequently, and increasing ambient temperatures. Mild disease was reproduced experimentally by subcutaneous injection of Aeromonas hydrophila into apparently healthy frogs.