Evidence of fish and human pathogens associated with doctor fish (Garra rufa, Heckel, 1843) used for cosmetic treatment

Abstract

Doctor fish (Garra rufa, Heckel, 1843) are increasingly used for cosmetic treatment raising particular concerns regarding the potential transmission of infections to clients. Investigations of microbial causes undertaken in two outbreaks of mortality among G. rufa used for cosmetic treatment revealed the presence of multiple bacteria, including both fish and human pathogens such as Aeromonas veronii, A. hydrophila, Vibrio cholerae, Shewanella putrefaciens, Mycobacterium marinum and M. goodii. This range of bacteria indicates an intense microbial proliferation involving multiple pathogens, most likely induced by the poor health condition of the fish. Most of the detected pathogens are well‐known agents of zoonosis. Indeed, M. goodii is an emerging nosocomial human pathogen that has never been detected in fish to date, nor in other animals. This first detection of M. goodii associated with fish infection points out a new zoonotic potential for this pathogen. These findings point out that handling, poor environmental conditions and the presence of fish pathogens, that can compromise the immune system of fish, can result in a mixed microbial proliferation and increase the spread of waterborne bacteria, including zoonosis agents. Accordingly, the microbiological surveillance of fish used for cosmetic treatment is extremely important, particularly in association with mortality outbreaks.

Periungual <b><i>Mycobacterium marinum</i></b> Infection following a Fish Manicure

“…Since fish manicures or pedicures involve the use of living fish, conventional methods of sterilization and/or disinfec- tion of the water and equipment, except chloramine T and peracetic acid, cannot be used, as they would kill the fish [9]. Both tank water and fish have been shown to contain a wide variety of microorganisms and can act as reservoirs for drug-resistant bacterial strains [10]. Indeed, the baths cannot be adequately disinfected between patients, and the fish also bring a risk of zoonotic infection transmission.…”

Multifactorial Causes of Chronic Mortality in Juvenile Sturgeon (Huso huso)

“…In addition, Citrobacter freundii has been previously isolated from the internal organs of diseased sturgeons, but no detailed description has been reported regarding these infections [ 42 ]. On the other hand, to the best of our knowledge, S. putrefaciens has not yet been associated with diseased sturgeons; however, this bacterium has been frequently isolated from diseased fish during mortality outbreaks and is associated with septicemia [ 49 , 50 ]. The presence of co-infections found in our study and the general body condition outlined by the pathological findings argue for a secondary role of these bacterial infections, leading us to conduct further investigations to elucidate the primary cause.…”

Probiotic Bacteria with High Alpha-Gal Content Protect Zebrafish against Mycobacteriosis

“…Among fish-associated bacteria, A. veronii is found in fresh water in association with vertebrates and invertebrates with virulence factors such as enterotoxin, flagella and outer membrane proteins that affect fishes and other aquatic animals with high mortality rate and economic losses [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48]. Pseudomonas entomophila is commonly found in insects and soil and is closely related to P. putida [49].…”