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Aeromonas hydrophila

Overview

What is it?

Aeromonas hydrophila is a species of bacterium that lives in all freshwater environments and in brackish water.

Who does it affect and what does it cause?

While all people are believed to be susceptible to the disease, individuals get different symptoms and diseases based on their health. The bacterium causes gastroenteritis in healthy individuals and septicemia in individuals with impaired immune systems or other problems. It is not confirmed, however, that Aeromonas hydrophila is the cause of human gastroenteritis. There are two types of gastroenteritis that have at one point been linked to Aeromonas hydrophila, first, a cholera-like illness with watery diarrhea, and secondly a dysenteric illness with symptoms of loose stools containing blood and mucus. Aeromonas hydrophila can rarely cause a dysentery-like syndrome that lasts for several weeks, it can also spread throughout the body and cause infection to people who already have impaired immune systems.

What is the infective dose?

The infective dose is not currently known however divers who have ingested small amounts have become ill and the bacterium had then been isolated from their stools.

How do you diagnose the disease

In order to diagnose Aeromonas hydrophila, the stools or blood need to be cultured.

What foods can Aeromonas hydrophila be found in?

The foods that Aeromonas hydrophila can often be found in are fish and shellfish, however it has been found in red meats such as beef, pork and lamb, and also poultry.

What is the frequency of the disease

The frequency of Aeromonas hydrophila is currently unknown and there have been many sporadic cases rather than large outbreaks.

How we can help

Contact us at our website: http://www.milavetzlaw.com/

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Links for more info

http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodborneIllness/FoodborneIllnessFoodbornePathogensNaturalToxins/BadBugBook/ucm070523.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?id=642

Links for recent updates

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2009/07/11/4268177.htm