The prevalence of Aeromonas hydrophila-induced diarrhoea in the pig, buffalo and human in Pune area, India

Aeromonas hydrophila is pathogen for several vertebrates. The bacteriological, clinical and epidemiological evidences for the role of A. hydrophila have been described in human infections. The presence of this pathogen in contaminated water is well-established and ingestion of such water may cause infection. There are many reports of acute diarrhoea associated with A, hydrophila transmitted by animals. In this study, 100 faecal samples of patients suffering from diarrhea and 33 faecal specimen from healthy individuals who served as control, were examined for presence of A. hydrophila. The faeces of pigs and buffaloes and the drinking water in this area were also examined for isolation and characterization of the bacteria. The results showed that in this area, the role of A. hydophila in development of acute human diarrhoea (1%) was less significant. The organism was sensitive to erythromycin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, and gentamycin, but resistant to penicillin and ampicillin. A. hydrophila was present in faeces of buffaloes. Five samples of contaminated water were found toxigenic, too.