Detection of act and alt Enterotoxin Genes in Aeromonas Strains Isolated from Hoplobatrachus occipitalis Frogs Intended for Human Consumption in Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

Aeromonas sp. is one of the pathogenic agents of red leg disease of frog and it poses a serious threat to aquaculture industry as well as to human health. In Cote d’Ivoire, the consumption of frogs appears as a solution to solve animal proteins problems in West regions. This research was investigated in order to evaluate the presence of enterotoxins genes in Aeromonas strains found on edible frog. Aeromonas research was carried out on 210 edible Hoplobatrachus occipitalis frogs purchased in different markets in central western Cote d'Ivoire. After isolation of Aeromonas strains by culture methods, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used for the detection of alt and act enteroxins in isolated strains. The results showed contamination of the frogs by Aeromonas sobria (9.1%) and Aeromonas hydrophila (13.8%). The alt and act enteroxin genes were detected in 34.5% and 17.0% of the isolated Aeromonas strains, respectively. This presence of virulence gene requires the implementation of health surveillance measures to avoid cases of Aeromonas contamination among consumers.