AIMS: The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of Aeromonas spp. and their aerolysin status in Norwegian natural water sources. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-one samples from 33 Norwegian water sources were examined for the presence of Aeromonas spp. From most of the sample sites, the strains were isolated on blood-ampicillin-agar and Difco Aeromonas agar simultaneously. The majority of the samples (73/77) contained Aeromonas spp., with an average of 35-100 cfu 100 ml(-1). The highest counts were found in faecally-contaminated water. Using PCR, 445 isolates were screened for the presence of aerolysin, and 79% of them were found to be carriers of the aerolysin gene. A selection of the isolated strains was tested on Vero cell cultures and 83% of them showed cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION: There is widespread occurrence of aerolysin-positive cytotoxic Aeromonas spp. in many different Norwegian natural waters, including drinking water sources. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The widespread occurrence of potentially-pathogenic Aeromonas spp. in the environment demands that these bacteria should not be ignored in drinking water supplies and in the food industry.
AIMS: The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of Aeromonas spp. and their aerolysin status in Norwegian natural water sources. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-one samples from 33 Norwegian water sources were examined for the presence of Aeromonas spp. From most of the sample sites, the strains were isolated on blood-ampicillin-agar and Difco Aeromonas agar simultaneously. The majority of the samples (73/77) contained Aeromonas spp., with an average of 35-100 cfu 100 ml(-1). The highest counts were found in faecally-contaminated water. Using PCR, 445 isolates were screened for the presence of aerolysin, and 79% of them were found to be carriers of the aerolysin gene. A selection of the isolated strains was tested on Vero cell cultures and 83% of them showed cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION: There is widespread occurrence of aerolysin-positive cytotoxic Aeromonas spp. in many different Norwegian natural waters, including drinking water sources. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The widespread occurrence of potentially-pathogenic Aeromonas spp. in the environment demands that these bacteria should not be ignored in drinking water supplies and in the food industry.
Authors: Gehua Wang; Clifford G Clark; Chenyi Liu; Chad Pucknell; Cindy K Munro; Tamara M A C Kruk; Richard Caldeira; David L Woodward; Frank G Rodgers Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2003-03 Impact factor: 5.948