Isolation, characterization, and whole genome sequencing analysis of Aeromonas veronii from Channa argus in China

Aeromonas veronii has emerged as a significant pathogen that impacts both fish and mammals. Recently, an infectious disease characterized by multiple ulcers on the body surface with a high mortality rate occurred in Channa argus cultured in Jiangsu Province, China. A Gram-negative bacterial strain (Aer12) was isolated from the body surface of the diseased fish and identified as A. veronii by the physiological, biochemical, and 16 S rRNA gene analysis. Intra-peritoneal injection of Aer12 into the healthy C. argus resulted in the development of multiple ulcers on the body surface, and the histopathological results showed that muscle tissue rupture was the most severe symptom. Aer12 showed both protease and lipase activities with no β-hemolytic activity. Furthermore, Aer12 contained seven virulence genes ( aer , act , alt , fla , ascV , aexT , and ela ) and one antibiotic resistance gene ( qnrS ) identified by the PCR assay. The results of whole genome sequencing revealed that Aer12 had a circular chromosome that measured 4,719,428 bp. It comprised 4301 predicted protein-coding sequences (CDS) in addition to 31 rRNA, 124 tRNA, and 49 sRNA genes. Furthermore, a total of 676 virulence genes and 216 antibiotic resistance genes have been predicted. Aer12 was susceptible to 21 antibiotics, including ampicillin and erythromycin. The results of Chinese herbs susceptibility assay showed that Aer12 was highly susceptible to Sanguisorba officinalis , Galla chinensis , and Schisandra chinensis . The results of this study will serve as a reference for future research on the pathogenic mechanism of A. veronii and the prevention and control of bacterial diseases in C. argus farming.