Aeromonas, an opportunistic pathogen present in wastewater in Tulancingo, Mexico

Abstract

Wastewater is free in the environment and is an important source of contamination. One of the microorganisms that is present in aquatic environments is Aeromonas, so the objective of this study was to identify the presence of Aeromonas in the Tulancingo River. A total of 55 presumptive isolates of Aeromonas spp. were obtained by means of phenotypic characteristics; of these, 80% (44/55) were positive for the gcat gene, and 100% (44/44) of those were confirmed to be Aeromonas spp. by means of the rpoD gene, where Aeromonas caviae was identified in 43.2%, Aeromonas media in 29.5%, Aeromonas hydrophila in 11.3%, Aeromonas salmonicida in 9.1%, and Aeromonas allosaccharophila, Aeromonas lusitana, and Aeromonas veronii in 2.3% each. The genus Aeromonas is capable of causing infections in humans. Aeromonad wastewater can resist treatment processes if not done correctly, which represents a potential route of contamination. Therefore, its presence should not be underestimated, and it should be considered to be a true gastrointestinal pathogen. In addition, specific actions must be taken, mainly with the use of wastewater treatment plants. All of this will ensure the quality of treated water and its reuse for the irrigation of agricultural growing areas, thus mitigating potential health threats.