International Specialty Supply
Supplying Sprout Companies Throughout the World
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International Specialty Supply Supplying Sprout Companies Throughout the World
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820 East 20th Street Cookeville, TN 38501 USA 931 526 1106
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Aeromonas hydrophila and Related Bacteria Significance
Aeromonas hydrophila
(pronounced "air-oh-moan-ass" "high-drof-ill-uh") is a
bacterium that is commonly found in freshwater environments and in brackish
water. Although there has never been a known outbreak or illness from Aeromonas
hydrophila, it has been isolated from sprouted seeds.
Fortunately, A. hydrophila is susceptible to a 1% solution of
sodium hypochlorite. Though I am unaware of any studies undertaken to remove the
pathogen from seed, the FDA recommended 2% solution of calcium hypochlorite as a
soak should have an effect on reducing or eliminating this potentially harmful
bacterial from sprouting seed. Some, but not all, strains
of A. hydrophila are capable of causing illness in humans by infecting
open wounds and possibly by ingesting the organisms in food or water. Several
related species, Aeromonas caviae, Aeromonas sobria and Aeromonas
veronii may also be capable of causing illness in humans. At the present time, there is controversy as to whether or not these organisms are able to cause human gastrointestinal illness. Volunteer human feeding studies, even with high numbers of cells, have not produced illness. However, the organism has been present in the stools of individuals with diarrhea when no other enteric pathogens could be found. This suggests that some variants of these organisms have the ability to cause disease. The frequency of the disease is unknown. It usually occurs as an individual case or as a small number of cases rather than in large outbreaks. To date, there has not been a well-documented outbreak of the disease. Nature of the
Disease
A. hydrophila, A. caviae and A. sobria may cause gastroenteritis in apparently healthy individuals or septicemia in individuals with weak or defective immune systems or those with malignancies. Two types of gastrointestinal disease have been associated with A. hydrophila: a watery diarrhea and a dysentery-like diarrheal disease characterized by loose stools containing blood and mucus. On rare occasions, the dysentery-like disease may be severe and last for weeks. These organisms have been known to cause a generalized infection and spread throughout the body in persons with weak or defective immune systems, malignancies and other preexisting diseases. In such individuals, a generalized infection can be life-threatening. The infectious dose is unknown, but it is possible that low numbers of organisms may cause illness. Foods Associated
With Illness
Sprouts
have not been associated with A.
hydrophila, though
it still should be a concern to growers because it has been found on sprouting
seed. It could also travel onto sprouts by production workers with poor hand
washing or personal hygiene practices.
It
has
frequently been found in fish and shellfish. It has also been found in red meats
(beef, pork, lamb) and poultry. Since these organisms are so common, it is
assumed that not all strains are able to cause disease.
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