# Genome-Resolved Co-Infection by Aeromonas veronii and Shewanella sp. in Koi Carp: A Zoonotic Risk for Aquarists

## TL;DR

This study identifies a dangerous bacterial co-infection in koi carp that poses a zoonotic risk to aquarists.

## Contribution

The paper provides genome-resolved diagnostics of a co-infection in ornamental fish with zoonotic implications.

## Key findings

- Aeromonas veronii and Shewanella sp. co-infected koi carp with significant virulence and resistance traits.
- Genomic analysis revealed convergent resistance mechanisms and high virulence potential in both bacterial species.
- The study supports using genomics to guide treatment and mitigate zoonotic risks in ornamental fish.

## Abstract

Co-infections are increasingly recognized as drivers of disease in ornamental fish, yet their genomic underpinnings and zoonotic implications remain underexplored compared to farmed species. Leveraging a One Health perspective, we investigated an acute mortality event in koi carp and characterized a co-infection by opportunistic aquatic bacteria that are also implicated in human disease. We isolated Aeromonas veronii and Shewanella sp. from a moribund koi using culture, biochemical assays, and MALDI-TOF MS, then generated draft genomes and performed orthology (OrthoVenn3), pathway annotation (KEGG BlastKOALA/Mapper), secondary-metabolite mining (antiSMASH), and virulence/resistome screening (VFDB/CARD), complemented by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Clinically, affected fish showed dropsy/ascites, scale loss, abnormal buoyancy, and reduced activity. Phylogenomics positioned A. veronii Koi-2 within the A. veronii complex near species thresholds (ANI ~96.1%; dDDH ~70.2%), while Shewanella sp. Koi-1 formed a distinct lineage below accepted cut-offs relative to S. seohaensis (ANI ~95.9%; dDDH ~67.6%). The virulome comprised 194 loci in A. veronii Koi-2 and 152 in Shewanella sp. Koi-1 is enriched for adhesion, secretion, iron uptake, and immune-evasion functions. Genotype–phenotype agreement was high for multidrug resistance: Shewanella sp. encoded OXA-436 and rsmA, matching β-lactam resistance and reduced fluoroquinolone/phenicol susceptibility, whereas A. veronii carried tet(A), OXA-1157, cphA3, sul1, and aadA3 consistent with tetracycline, β-lactam, sulfonamide, and aminoglycoside resistance profiles. In conclusion, genome-resolved diagnostics confirmed a mixed Aeromonas–Shewanella co-infection with broad virulence potential and convergent resistance mechanisms, supporting the routine use of genomics to distinguish single- versus mixed-agent disease and to guide dual-coverage, mechanism-aware therapy in ornamental fish medicine while informing zoonotic risk mitigation.