The detection of virulence genes in Aeromonas hydrophila strains isolated from seafood

Aeromonas hydrophila is a food-borne zoonotic pathogen frequently isolated from aquatic products. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of virulence genes among the A. hydrophila isolates collected from Persian Gulf seafood. A total of ۲۷ isolates obtained from ۱۶۰ fish and shrimp samples were examined using PCR. According to the results, all of the strains carried at least one of the virulence genes. The frequency of the genes was as follow: hlyA (۶۶.۶%, ۱۸), aerA (۵۱.۸%, ۱۴), alt (۴۴.۴%, ۱۲), AscF-G (۴۰.۷%, ۱۱), ast (۲۵.۹%, ۷), Stx۲ (۱۴.۸%, ۴) and Stx۱ (۷.۴%, ۲).  Seven isolates contained only one virulence gene, while ۲۰ isolates contained more genes varied between ۲ and ۵. Accordingly, fish and shrimp from the Persian Gulf could serve as a reservoir of A. hydrophila containing multiple virulence genes, which can be a threat to public health.

Keywords:

Aeromonas hydrophila , virulence genes , fish , shrimp , Persian Gulf.