Aeromonas, Vibrio cholerae, and Related Bacteria

Abstract

Aeromonas species are ubiquitous in soil and water sources throughout the world. Infection commonly results from exposure to untreated water, but also may result from consuming contaminated foods such as produce, meat, and dairy products. Aeromonads are not part of the normal human intestinal flora. They were initially believed to be non-pathogenic, as they are occasionally isolated from the stool of asymptomatic persons. They are increasingly recognized as a cause of gastroenteritis in both healthy and immunocompromised adults and children, based on the recovery of the organism from the stool of symptomatic patients in the absence of other pathogens, and subsequent complete response to antibiotic therapy. The motile Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas sobria most often cause gastrointestinal disease in humans, although other species may as well.