PHENOTYPING, VIRULENCE CHARACTERISTICS OF AEROMONAS SPECIES AND THE EFFECTS OF ESSENTIAL PLANT OILS AS ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AGAINST PATHOGENIC ISOLATES FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES

Aeromonas species are increasingly recognized as enteric pathogens. Faecal samples from 20 cow, 45 sheep, 60 goat and 60 camels were examined for the presence of Aeromonas species, which was also sought in the available drinking water. Aeromonas species was isolated more frequently from goats (21.7%) than from other animal groups sampled and isolated more frequently from well water (38.2%) than chlorinated supplies (23.0%). A. hydrophilia was the most dominant species isolated from different kinds of samples (13.4%). Whereas A. sobria and A. caviae were isolated in much lower rates 4.7% and 2.1%, respectively. There was significant association between the isolation of Aeromonas species from all animal faeces and its presence in drinking water. All isolated strains were examined for the characteristics that are reputed to have roles in pathogenicity. Aeromonas isolates exhibited multi-drug resistanc amoxicillin, carbenicillin and ampicillin. The most potent antibiotics against Aeromonas species isolated in this study were ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, cefepime.