Abstract

Objective: To determine the hemolysin (hlyA) and aerolysin (aerA) genes of Aeromonas sp. isolate collected from frog Hoplobatrachus occipitalis in Côte d’Ivoire. Methods: A total of 210 fresh healthy frogs and 384 smoked frogs were collected in three local markets. Biochemical identification, hemolysin test and detection of virulence gene by PCR were performed. Results: The results revealed that 148 strains of Aeromonas sp. were isolated only from 48 (22.9%) fresh frogs. Strains identified were Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas sobria. While all 384 smoked frogs were not contaminated by Aeromonas sp. Of the 148 isolates analyzed, 105 (70.1%) had the β-hemolytic activity on the blood agar. PCR reaction showed that virulence genes were widely distributed among the Aeromonas sp. isolates. The hlyA gene (84.4%) was the most frequent virulence factor present in the isolates. Three genotypes were recorded including hlyA+aerA+ (58.8%), hlyA+aerA- (25.0%) and hlyA-aerA+ (15.5%). Conclusions: The presence of the two genes of virulence indicates that there is a risk for consumers and this requires the measure of assurance for the sanitary safety of products.

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