Abstract
ABSTRACT Introduction: Aeromonas spp. have been associated with bacteremia, wound infections and gastroenteritis. A number of virulence factors, including hemolysin production and mannoseresistant haemagglutination (MRHA) have been associated with their pathogenicity. Materials and Methods: Samples of drinking water obtained from water reservoirs (Faskia) in Tripoli were examined for the presence of Aeromonas. Using standard microbiological procedures, isolated Aeromonas were identified to the species level and tested for hemolysin production, MRHA and susceptibility to antibiotics. Results: Of 56 water samples examined, 41 (73.%) were positive for Aeromonas spp. Speciation of Aeromonas isolates resulted in 10 (24.4%) being A. hydrophila, 10 (24.4%) A. caviae, 9 (22%) A. sobria, and 12 (29.2%) other Aeromonas spp. All (100%) aeromonads were positive for hemolysin production and 34% showed MRHA. Of the isolated Aeromonas spp., 75.6% were resistant to ampicillin, 34.1% to augmentin, 7.3% to amikacin, 36.6% to chloramphenicol, 2.4% to ciprofloxacin, 7.3% to nalidixic acid, 2.4% to tetracycline and 4.8% to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole. Conclusion: Potentially pathogenic antibiotic-resistant Aeromonas spp. are very common in drinking water from water reservoirs (Faskia) in Tripoli. Correspondence and reprint request: Khalifa Sifaw Ghenghesh Departmentof Microbiology and Immunologyو Faculty of Medicine, Al-Fateh University for Medical Sciences, P.O.Box 80013, Tripoli-Libya e.mail: ghenghesh_micro@yahoo.com Received : 5/ 10/ 2008, Accepted : 26 /11/ 2008 Key words: Aeromonas, Drinking water, Haemagglutination, Antibiotic resistance, Libya.