The fermentative agent that may infect reptiles and fish as well as humans when exposed to contaminated soil or water is which genus?

The fermentative agent that may infect reptiles and fish as well as humans when exposed to contaminated soil or water is which genus?

• A. Aeromonas
• B. Chromobacterium
• C. Chryseobacterium
• D. Enterobacter

Answer: (A)

Think of bacteria that thrive in water and soil and can move between animals and humans through environmental exposure. The genus Aeromonas fits this pattern because species like Aeromonas hydrophila are classic aquatic pathogens found in fresh water and moist soils. They readily infect fish and reptiles, causing disease in aquaculture and in wildlife, and they can also cause infections in humans—particularly wound infections and sometimes gastroenteritis—after contact with contaminated water or soil. Their fermentative metabolism and facultative anaerobic nature help them flourish in these environments, which explains their broad host range linked to environmental exposure. Other genera may inhabit similar environments or occasionally infect humans, but they aren’t as consistently associated with this combination of reptile/fish infections plus human infections from contaminated water or soil, making Aeromonas the best fit.

Think of bacteria that thrive in water and soil and can move between animals and humans through environmental exposure. The genus Aeromonas fits this pattern because species like Aeromonas hydrophila are classic aquatic pathogens found in fresh water and moist soils. They readily infect fish and reptiles, causing disease in aquaculture and in wildlife, and they can also cause infections in humans—particularly wound infections and sometimes gastroenteritis—after contact with contaminated water or soil. Their fermentative metabolism and facultative anaerobic nature help them flourish in these environments, which explains their broad host range linked to environmental exposure. Other genera may inhabit similar environments or occasionally infect humans, but they aren’t as consistently associated with this combination of reptile/fish infections plus human infections from contaminated water or soil, making Aeromonas the best fit.