Motile aeromonas septicaemia infection in African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus , Burchell, 1822): A review

Abstract African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, is among the important fish species cultured in sub-Saharan Africa. Because of the high stocking densities commonly seen in culture facilities, disease-causing organisms such as Aeromonas hydrophila is prevalent among cultured C. gariepinus . A. hydrophila is one of the Gram-negative bacteria commonly encountered in an aquatic environment worldwide. The organism has been associated with several disease conditions in fish including tail rot, fin rot and haemorrahagic septicaemia. The bacterium also infects a variety of aquatic, terrestrial and arboreal animals including man. The objective of this study was to systematically review the relevant literature on A. hydrophila infection in C. gariepinus . The study has analysed the current status of the disease, its epidemiology, clinical manifestations and pathology, and suggested methods to mitigate its impacts on fish production, especially in low-income developing countries.