Epidemiology of Aeromonas spp. isolated from stool in a tertiary hospital in Cantabria, Northern Spain, in the last five years

Abstract

Introduction: The role of Aeromonas species in gastrointestinal disease is controversial. The aim of this study was to know the epidemiological distribution of Aeromonas spp. isolated from stool in our health area, determine the existence of diarrhea as a significant symptom, identification of existing species in our environment and association as co-pathogen.

Methods: It was a retrospective descriptive study of isolates of Aeromonas spp. in feces (2016-2020). The protocol for these isolates included coproculture, identification by MALDI-TOF (Vitek-MS®, BioMerieux) and confirmation by multiplex PCR.

Results: A total of 366 Aeromonas spp. isolates were analyzed being Aeromonas caviae the most prevalent species (289, 78.7%). A total of 58 (15.8%) co-infections were identified, being more frequent in pediatric age (49;84.5%) (p=0.01) and mostly associated with Campylobacter spp.

Discussion: Aeromonas spp. prove to be a gastrointestinal pathogen more frequently associated with co-infections in pediatric age, evidencing its appearance especially with Campylobacter spp.

Keywords: Aeromonas spp.; Diarrea; Diarrhea; MALDI-TOF.