Characterization of the biofilm-forming ability and certain virulence characters ofAeromonas spp. isolates from rainbow trout

Authors

TÜRKER ÇELEBİFollow
ERTAN EMEK ONUKFollow
ESRA DEMİRBAŞFollow
GÖKÇEN DİNÇFollow

Abstract

Aeromonas spp., commonly found in the aquatic environment, cause infections in both fish and humans. Their pathogenicitydepends on various virulence factors and ability to form biofilm. The current study aimed to determine the biofilm-forming capabilitiesand certain virulence characteristics of 25 Aeromonas spp. isolates obtained from rainbow trout in Türkiye. The biofilm-forming abilitiesof isolates were investigated comparatively using Congo red agar (CRA), the tube method (TM), and tissue culture plates (TCPs).Potential virulence factors, including hemolytic activity, gelatinase production, serine protease activity, DNase activity, and motility,were evaluated using phenotypic tests. Additionally, the distribution of four known virulence genes, namely aerA, exu, fla, and ser, werescreened by polymerase chain reaction. It was determined by CRA, TM, and TCP that 68%, 48%, and 60% of the isolates formed biofilms,respectively, whereas combining the results obtained from the three methods, 92% of the isolates formed biofilms. Virulence factorswere expressed at variable levels both phenotypically and genotypically among the isolates. Notably, A. bestiarum isolates exhibitedpositive results for swimming motility, serine protease activity, gelatinase production, DNase activity, and β-hemolysis activity, andcarried at least three virulence genes, indicating their potential pathogenicity. Although a negative association was detected betweenbiofilm formation (using different methods) and certain phenotypic and genetic virulence markers, positive correlations were foundbetween the phenotypic and genetic virulence markers themselves. This research highlights the significance of using multiple techniquesto evaluate the biofilm formation capabilities of Aeromonas spp. from fish. The high incidence of biofilm formation among the isolatesraises concerns, as it may increase the risk of reinfection in aquaculture facilities. Therefore, regular monitoring of biofilm formation andcertain virulence factors in Aeromonas spp. from fish is imperative, alongside the establishment of new disease prevention and controlstrategies to combat Aeromonas infections, particularly to inhibit biofilm formation.

Author ORCID Identifier

ERTAN ONUK: 0000-0001-7643-046X

ESRA DEMİRBAŞ: 0000-0002-3708-0804

GÖKÇEN DİNÇ: 0000-0002-9184-5003

TÜRKER ÇELEBİ: 0000-0002-3662-0987

DOI

10.55730/1300-0128.4367

Keywords

Aeromonas, biofilm, fish, virulence factors

First Page

27

Last Page

37

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

ÇELEBİ, TÜRKER; ONUK, ERTAN EMEK; DEMİRBAŞ, ESRA; and DİNÇ, GÖKÇEN (2025) "Characterization of the biofilm-forming ability and certain virulence characters ofAeromonas spp. isolates from rainbow trout," Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences: Vol. 49: No. 1, Article 5. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0128.4367
Available at: https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/veterinary/vol49/iss1/5