Antimicrobial Resistance Profile Characterization of Enterococcus Species Isolated from Aquaculture Environment

Authors:

Igbinosa EO¹, Onuoha T¹ and Udochukwu U^2*

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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