Investigation of the virulence of aeromonads recovered from human mixed infections, tested alone and in association in the Caenorhabditis elegans model.. Virulence of Aeromonas in the Caenorhabditis elegans model

Despite a pathotype concept, aeromonad virulence remains poorly understood, and difficult to predict. In addition, Aeromonas human infections often involve mixed infection, and 5-10% cases include two distinct aeromonads, with unknown an impact on virulence. The aim of this study was to understand aeromonad-mixed infection by studying the virulence of aeromonads recovered from human mixed infections, tested alone and in association in the Caenorhabditis elegans model. The genome content of virulence-associated gene failed to explain virulence synergy and to identify pathotypes although some virulence–associated genes present in some strains were absent from their companion strain (e.g., T3SS). Synergistic virulence observed between infectious isolates stresses to consider Aeromonas infection process at the community level and not should not be limited to the pathotype concept.