Fish Pedicure-induced Aeromonas sobria Superficial Necrotic Bullous Dermatitis in a Previously Undiagnosed Diabetes Patient. What are the Risks of Fish Pedicure for Public Health?.

We describe a patient with previously undiagnosed diabetes who developed superficial necrotic bullous dermatitis due to Aeromonas sobria infection following a fish pedicure (also known as fish spa, fish therapy or Ichthyotherapy). A major concern regarding fish pedicure involves the transmission of viral and bacterial infections. It has been shown that fish tank water contains a wide variety of bacteria, including non-pathogenic as well as potentially pathogenic species. Commonly in fish spas the tank water is heated to a temperature of 25 to 30°C. Such temperatures favour overall bacterial growth and at the same time increase skin porosity upon immersion, hence indirectly promoting potential skin infections. The authors discuss three potential routes of transmission (from fish or tub surface to man, from water to man, and from man to man via the tub water) and analyse the potential risk of bacterial or viral transmission associated with fish pedicures. On the basis of the current case study and the consensus view of experts, the authors advise against fish pedicure, in particular for patients with diabetes or a compromised immune system.

Mortality of therapeutic fish Garra rufa caused by Aeromonas sobria

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate a case of mass mortality of Garra rufa (G. rufa) from a fish hatchery farm in Slovakia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Causative bacterial agent was swabbing out of affected fish skin area and subsequently identified using commercial test system. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Infected G. rufa was characterized by abnormal swimming behaviour, bleeding of skin lesions and local haemorrhages. Despite of using recommended aquatic antibiotic treatment no improvement was achieved and Aeromonas sobria (A. sobria) was identified as a causative agent of fish mortality. Due to massive fish mortality, antibiotic susceptibility of pure isolated culture of A. sobria was evaluated employing eight antibiotics against human infections. A. sobria was resistant only against one antibiotic, namely ampicilin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results indicate that A. sobria can act as a primary pathogen of G. rufa and may be a potential risk factor for immunodeficient or immunoincompetent patients during the ichthyotherapy.</p>

Mortality of therapeutic fish Garra rufa caused by Aeromonas sobria

Objective:To investigate a case of mass mortality of Garra rufa (G. rufa) from a fish hatchery farm in Slovakia. Methods: Causative bacterial agent was swabbing out of affected fish skin area and subsequently identified using commercial test system. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion method. Results: Infected G. rufa was characterized by abnormal swimming behaviour, bleeding of skin lesions and local haemorrhages. Despite of using recommended aquatic antibiotic treatment no improvement was achieved and Aeromonas sobria (A. sobria) was identified as a causative agent of fish mortality. Due to massive fish mortality, antibiotic susceptibility of pure isolated culture of A. sobria was evaluated employing eight antibiotics against human infections. A. sobria was resistant only against one antibiotic, namely ampicilin. Conclusions: These results indicate that A. sobria can act as a primary pathogen of G. rufa and may be a potential risk factor for immunodeficient or immunoincompetent patients during the ichthyotherapy.