Molecular and biochemical study of Aeromonas spp. Isolated from aquarium fish suspected of septicemia in Ahvaz

Bacterial disease is the most common infectious problem of ornamental fish. Most bacterial infections are caused by gram-negative organisms from Aeromonas, Eduardozilla, Felaxibacter, Pseudomonas, Vibrio and Citrobacter. Aeromonas bacteria are facultative anaerobe, gram-negative, oxidase and catalase positive and belong to the Aeromonadsaceae family and are divided into two motile and non-motile groups. In this study, a total of 250 ornamental fish including Molly, Guppy, Angel, Parrot, Oscar, Goldfish, Platy, Swordfish, Fighter collected from aquarium fish sales centers in Ahvaz city or referred to the Veterinary Hospital Was investigated. After examination of fish suspected of bacterial infection, samples were taken from skin wounds, gills, kidneys and brain and bacterial culture was performed. After isolation and purification of Aeromonas susceptible was evaluated and confirmed via biochemical tests and molecular methods (with 16s rRNA specific primers). Results of biochemical and PCR tests showed high prevalence of Aeromonas in ornamental fish in Ahvaz city, with 49.4% of suspected specimens being Aeromonas genera. Therefore, appropriate measures should be taken to prevent and control Aeromonas infections in ornamental fish.