Antimicrobial Resistance Profile Characterization of Enterococcus Species Isolated from Aquaculture Environment

Authors: Igbinosa EO, Onuoha T and Udochukwu U*

DOI: 10.23880/oajmb-16000107

Volume 1, Issue 2

Abstract

Aquaculture environments can become reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant strains of faecal bacteria including enterococci   which are capable of contributing to the spread of antimicrobial resistance in the marine environment. The aim of this   study was to characterize the antimicrobial resistance profile of Enterococcus species from various aquacultures (fish   ponds) in Benin City, Edo State. A total of 376 water samples were obtained from four different fish ponds between   February and July, 2015 and were investigated for the presence of Enterococcus species using standard culture based   methods. The antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the isolates were determined by using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion   method. From the 376 water samples analyzed for the presence of enterococci isolates, 100 isolates each from   Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were isolated from the four fish ponds investigated. The mean   enterococal counts from the four fish ponds investigated ranged from 4±0.01 × 102 to 12±0.17×102 cfu/ml. Statistical   analysis reveals that there was a significant difference observed in the mean enterococcal counts obtained from the four   different fish ponds in the study (p< 0.05). The distribution of the enterococcal isolates in the study from February to July   reveals that 50 isolates from each pond were characterized. Statistical analysis also reveals that there was a significant   difference observed in the distribution of the enterococcal isolates from the fish ponds (p< 0.05). High level resistance   was observed against six antibiotics used in the study such that 15 enterococcal isolates displayed marked resistance to   the action of trimethoprim, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, oxytetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, and ciprofloxacin.   Adherence to adequate and proper use of manure products and frequent discharge of water from fish pond will reduce   the high level of antimicrobial resistance in Enterococcus species isolated from fish ponds and also reduce the potential   risk to human health.  

Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance Profile; Enterococcus Species; Aquaculture Environment; Antibiotics

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