Serotypes and anti-microbial susceptibility of Plesiomonas shigelloides isolates from humans, animals and acquatic environments in different countries

Atotal of 73 strains of Plesiomonas shigelloides isolated fromhumans (24 strains) animals (21 strains) and aquatic environment (28 strains) were determined for their O:Hserotype and susceptibility to 18 antimicrobial substances and to the vibriostatic agent O/129. Of all strains, 86.3%were typeable by the O and 94.5%by the Hanti-sera used. The serotype distribution was heterogeneous within a country and between the countries. Of the 57 different serotypes identified, O11:H2 (2 strains), O22:H3 (4 strains), O35:HH11 (2 strains), O52:H3 (2 strains) and O90:H6 (2 strains) were found among isolates from humans and animals (mainly in cats) in Finland and Cuba, and O23:H1a1b (3 strains) among isolates from environmental sources in Slovak Republic and Italy. Most (93–100%) of all strains were susceptible to all antimicrobials tested but resistant (92–96%) to the broad-spectrumpenicillins (ampicillin, mezlocillin). No correlation between anti-microbial resistance patterns and serotypes was found.