Spectrum of Extraintestinal Disease Due to Aeromonas Species in Tropical Queensland, Australia

During a 12-month period, the clinical spectrum of extraintestinal disease due to Aeromonas species was determined for 56 patients in tropical Queensland (Australia). Forty-six patients acquired their infection in the community, six patients were infected in the hospital, and four patients were colonized. Demographic risk factors included male gender (67%) and Aboriginal ethnic background (35%). The disease ranged from deep-seated infection (four cases) to soft-tissue infection of varying intensity (48 cases). Among patients whose infections were community acquired, 22 required hospitalization and 27 suffered trauma-associated infection. Seventeen patients (63%) in the latter group had lacerations to the hands and feet that were contaminated with surface water or soil