The Aeromonas species rarely produce human infection but in the cases of concomitant
hepatobiliary lesion or leukemia, it invades as opportunistic infection and easily develops
to septicemia. Occasionally ecthyma gangrenosum-like skin lesion is associated with
Aeromonas septicemia.
Since 1981, we have experienced 5cases of Aeromonas septicemia which were
confirmed by blood cultures. The following is the summary of the general features of
Aeromonas septicemia.
1) All 5 cases revealed positive blood cultures. 1 case of cholecystitis with multiple
stones was positive in bile culture.
2) Among s cases, 4 cases were man and all were above forty years. In 4 cases the
outbreak was happened during July and August.
3) All patients had associated hepatobiliary disorders and 3 eases were fatal.
4) Recent 3 cases showed skin lesions, purplish deep seated hematomas, on the both
lower extremities, seen as ecthyma gangrenosum-like lesion produced by Ps. aeruginosa.
5) The Aeromonas species were sensitive to chloramphenicol, gentamicin, kanamycin,
tetracycline, tobramycin, cephalothin and cefoperazone, but resistant to ampicillin.
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