Molecular Characterization and Antibiotic Resistance Profiling of Bacteria Associated with Clarias gariepinus from selected fish farms in Ota

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance of genetically diverse bacteria is of high implication for fish farming and human consumption. The present study evaluates the genetic diversity and antibiotic resistance profile of bacteria pathogens isolated from Clarias gariepinus in aquaculture farms. Bacteria were isolated from C. gariepinus (n=15), and identified using biochemical methods, and antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed. Multiple antibacterial resistance index (MARI) was determined and isolates with multidrug resistance (MDR) pattern were genotyped and sequenced for 16sRNA and further determined for genetic diversity. Of the fifty bacteria, Vibrio species (30%), Escherichia coli (14%), S. aureus (12%), Proteus spp (12%), Salmonella and Shigella spp (8%), Micrococcus luteus (6%), Bacillus spp (4%), Klebsiella aerogenes (4%), and P. aeruginosa (2%) were observed. All the bacteria isolates showed resistance were generally resistant to several other antibiotics: Impenem, Cefuroxim, Ofloxacin, Augmentin, Cefexime, Cefotaxin, Ciprofloxacin, Ampiclox, Nitrofuranton, and Nalidixic acid while only few bacteria showed intermediate sensitivity. Genetically, diverse multidrug resistance bacteria is a worrisome concern in aquaculture industry and regular surveillance and regulation of antibiotics would ensure sustainable fish production, and public health assurance.