Necrotizing Fasciitis and Myonecrosis Due to Aeromonas hydrophila

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Author(s): 
Georgi Markov, MD, PhD; Geno Kirov, MD, PhD; Veselin Lyutskanov, MD, PhD; Mincho Kondarev, MD, PhD

Aeromonas hydrophila bacterium is found in all freshwater environments as well as brackish, chlorinated, and unchlorinated water.1 The bacterium is both a gram-negative rod and a facultative anaerobe. The bacterium is about 0.3–1.0 µm in diameter and 1.0–3.5 µm in length. It achieves optimal growth at 28ºC (82ºF), but can also grow at temperatures ranging from 4C (39ºF) to 37ºC (99ºF).2,3 The bacterium was originally discovered in 1962 while researchers were looking at the causes of “red fin,” a disease of eel and fish.4 In fish and other marine life the infection has been associated with several diseases—tail rot, fin rot, and hemorrhagic septicemias.4,5 The bacterium is transmitted in humans through oral contact with contaminated water, food, soil, feces, and/or ingestion of contaminated fish or reptiles. The bacterium is commonly acquired through an open wound that is exposed to contaminated water.3,6

References: 

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