Enterobacter aerogenes: an Emerging Pathogen for Enteritis in Farmed Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus

Enteritis has caused significant economic losses in farmed channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Yet information is limited on Enterobacter aerogenes as a potential causal agent for enteritis in channel catfish. In this study, a virulent strain, temporarily named HT2, was isolated from diseased channel catfish suffering from enteritis, identified phenotypically and molecularly as E. aerogenes. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to examine isolate HT2 and compare it to other known isolates. In addition, isolate HT2 is apparently susceptible to aminoglycosides and quinolones, drugs for veterinary use in aquaculture as seen when screened against a range of common antibiotics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of E. aerogenes as a pathogen causing enteritis in farmed channel catfish.