DETECTION OF AEROLYSIN (aerA) GENE IN AEROMONAS HYDROPHILA STRAINS ISOLATED FROM DISEASED CARP

Bacterial septicemia caused by motile aeromonads is common infection in the intensive fish production. Aeromonas (A.) hydrophila is often present in fish populations. Ubiquitous distribution of these bacteria in the aquatic environment, and the stress caused by intensive breeding are predisposing factors for the occurence of the disease. A. hydrophila is considered a major cause of septicaemia caused by motile aeromonads. Several A. hydrophila extracellular products (ECP) are considered as important factors in pathogenesis, primarily aerolysin (aerA), the extracellular lipase, cytolytic enterotoxin, hemolytic toxin and extracellular proteases. PCR detection of aerolysin (aerA) is considered a reliable method of identifying potentially pathogenic Aeromonas strains. In spring 2012, after a sudden increase in water temperature, disease occured in common carp population in one fish farm in Serbia. Five specimens of the one-year-old carp with clinical symptoms of motile aeromonas septicaemia were used for isolation of the bacteria. Identification of A. hydrophila was done on the basis of morphological, physiological, cultural and biochemical characteristics. PCR amplification of DNA from A. hydrophila isolates revealed presence of aerolysin (aerA) gene in all examined A. hydrophila isolates from carp with motile aeromonas septicaemia.