Edwardsiella spp.

Paul G. Auwaerter, M.D.

MICROBIOLOGY

Facultatively anaerobic, motile, non-lactose fermenting, Gram-negative rod.
- Inhabits fresh and brackish waters, isolated as intestinal commensal from cold- and warm-blooded animals.
  - Although it is primarily a fish pathogen, it is also found in amphibians, reptiles, and birds, usually in marine waters.
- Stains with Congo Red, iron-loving
Edwardsiella spp.
- E. tarda is the primary human pathogen.
  - It behaves similarly regarding biochemical, virulence, and clinical profile to Salmonella spp.
- Other species mainly isolated from fish: E. hoshinae, E. ictaluri (catfish), E. piscidida

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