wildlife and zoo assay data sheet
Aeromonas hydrophila
Test code:
B0068
-
Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of
Aeromonas hydrophila
by real time PCR.
Aeromonas hydrophila is a heterotrophic, gram-negative bacterium found in water, mainly in
warm climates. However, this bacterium is very resistant to low
temperature and other environmental changes, and has been
detected in fresh, salt, marine, estuarine and even chlorinated
water. It can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic
environments.
A. hydrophila is mainly associated with diseases of fish and
amphibians. In frogs, this bacterium causes red leg disease, in
which infected frogs can develop fatal internal hemorrhaging. In
fish it can cause ulcers, tail rot, fin rot, and hemorrhagic
septicaemia. Hemorrhagic septicaemia involves scale shedding and
lesions, hemorrhage in gill and anal areas, ulcers, exophthalmia
and abdominal swelling.
Outbreaks have been reported frequently in various regions of the world. For
example, an
outbreak of A. hydrophila
infection with a high rate of mortality (95%) in turtles (Pseudemis
scripta) was reported in 1994 in Italy (Pasquale et
al., 1994).
Culture detection of the bacteria is not very effective because
culture sensitivity is low.
In addition, other strains of
Aeromonas bacteria may
produce similar culture characteristics and be mistaken for
A. hydrophila.
However, detection of this bacterium by PCR is rapid, specific
and sensitive.
Utilities:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical
diagnosis of Aeromonas
hydrophila
-
Help ensure that animal facilities or amphibian populations
are free of this bacterium
-
Early prevention of spread of
A. hydrophila in
a facility or geographic area
-
Minimize human exposure to this bacterium
-
Safety monitoring of biological products that derive
from susceptible animals
References:
Pasquale, V., Baloda, S.B., Dumontet, S. and Krovacek, K. (1994)
An outbreak of Aeromonas hydrophila infection in turtles (Pseudemis scripta). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 60:1678–1680.
Specimen requirements:
Skin or vent swab, or environmental swab, or 0.2 ml
water, tissue or culture.
Contact Zoologix
if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type
for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen
types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm
specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.
For all
specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during
very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship
with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are
specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain
frozen in transit. See shipping
instructions for more information.
Turnaround time:
2 business days
Methodology:
Qualitative real time PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected
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