Cytotoxic characteristics of Aeromonas species isolated from diarrheic stool specimens in under-5-year-old children

Abstract

In 5 out of 250 specimens of diarrhea stools of under-5-year-old children Aeromonas spr were isolated and characterized whereas from 100 control specimens from symptoless control children no organisms could be isolated. All 5 organisms had cytotoxic effects on hella and veroux cell lines. Cytopathic effects of A hydrophila and A suberia was stronger than that of A caviae. The cytotoxic effect seemed to be related to VP phenotype and positive lysine decarboxylase. Presence of dermonecrotic factor in culture filtrate of these bacteria was confirmed by increase of vascular permeability and edema building after intradermal injection of the culture filtrate in rabbit. All isolated strains were resistant to ampicillin and cepglotine, the 2 most prescribed antibiotics in gastroenteritis of children in this country.