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VIRULENCE RELATIONSHIPS OF AEROMONAS SPECIES AS DETERMINED BY EXPOSURES TO IMMUNOCOMPROMISED MICE
Citation:
LYE, D. J., B. BERTKE, M. R. RODGERS, AND G. N. STELMA. VIRULENCE RELATIONSHIPS OF AEROMONAS SPECIES AS DETERMINED BY EXPOSURES TO IMMUNOCOMPROMISED MICE. Presented at 8th International Symposium on Aeromonas and Plesiomonas, Halifax, NS, CANADA, June 15 - 17, 2005.
Impact/Purpose:
Use animal studies to validate molecular-based assays concerning the virulence of microorganisms. Identify pathogenic strains of bacterial species known to include opportunistic pathogens and identify currently unknown opportunistic pathogens among the heterotrophic bacteria that occur in drinking water or biofilms.
Description:
Our laboratory is currently determining the virulence of opportunistic pathogens reported in treated drinking water and drinking water sources. Aeromonas hydrophila is currently on the EPA's Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) and is an example of those types of bacteria that contain both opportunistic pathogens and non-pathogenic strains within a species. Virulence relationships of thirty-five Aeromonas strains covering species of hydrophila, veronii, caviae, enchelia, allosaccharophila, and salmonicida were characterized using an intraperitoneal exposure method in mice immunocompromised by cyclophosphamide injection. Exposures of immunocompromised animals to opportunistic bacteria through intraperitoneal injection is a promising virulence detection procedure useful for a wide range of disparate bacterial types.