Examining relationship between biofilm formation and virulence of Aeromonas spp.

What is it about?

Aeromonas spp. are emerging human pathogens as well as important in fish disease. Aeromonas virulence is multifaceted and involves surface-associated molecules, motility, biologically active extracellular products and biofilm formation. Aeromonads, isolated from diverse freshwater fish species as well as sea water, were screened for biofilm formation, and characteristics associated with disease-causing ability. Biofilm formation was influenced by environmental conditions. Source-/species-specific correlations, ranging from weak to strong, were observed between biofilm formation and motility, cell surface characteristics and/or extracellular virulence factor production. Understanding the specific mechanisms by which Aeromonas species adhere to abiotic surfaces may aid in preventing and/or treating disease outbreaks in aquaculture systems and could lead to effective eradication of these fish pathogens.

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