Aeromonas primary wound infection of a diver in polluted waters

Abstract

A. sobria and A. hydrophila were primary pathogens isolated from the leg wound of a diver conducting operations in polluted waters. This is the 1st recorded instance of a primary infection of soft tissue in a human caused by 2 species of Aeromonas, 1 of which was resistant to tetracycline. Because of the very rapid development of this wound infection, cytotoxicity of these organisms was examined in several biological systems. A. sobria was hemolytic for sheep erythrocytes, cytotoxic for Y-1 [mouse adrenocortical adenoma] cells and enterotoxic in rabbit ligated intestinal loops, whereas A. hydrophila was hemolytic and cytotoxic. Clinical, bacteriological and environmental features of the case are presented.