Isolation and molecular identification of Aeromonas wound infection in Iranian burn patients.

INTRODUCTION: Aeromonas spp. have recently emerged as opportunistic pathogens and only few studies are available regarding the isolation of these bacteria from burn wound infections. This study aimed at isolating Aeromonas as an infrequent cause of infection in this group of immunocompromised patients.

METHODS: A total of 300 samples were collected from the wounds of burn patients hospitalized in Gotbodin Shirazi Burn Center in a year. The samples were cultured on Aeromonas specific media. The API-E20 kit was used for basic biochemical identification and 16S rRNA and gyrB genes amplification and sequencing was performed. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was determined using the agar diffusion and broth microdilution methods.

RESULTS: Biochemical tests and the API-20E kit demonstrated five samples of Aeromonas, while, molecular testing confirmed only three. All isolates were resistant to ampicillin-sulbactam, erythromycin, oxacillin and vancomycin. However, they were susceptible to gentamicin, meropenem, nitrofurantoin, chloramphenicol, cephalexin and cefotaxime. Two A. veronii isolates were resistant to sulfamethoxazole.