Pisciculture and Fish Parts as Non-clinical Source of CTX-M and TEM Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamases Producing Escherichia coli in Southeastern Nigeria
Jennifer Onyekachi Adibe-Nwafor
Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, P.M.B. 53, Nigeria.
Ikemesit Udeme Peter
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Technology and Engineering, Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Trans-Ekulu, P.M.B. 01473, Enugu, Nigeria and Department of Applied Science, Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Trans Ekulu, P.M.B. 01473, Enugu, Nigeria.
Kenneth Adibe Nwafor
Department of Mass Communication, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, P.M.B. 53, Nigeria.
Chidinma Stacy Iroha
Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra, P. M. B. 5025, Nigeria.
Adaora Lynda Onuora
Department of Applied Science, Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Trans Ekulu, P.M.B. 01473, Enugu, Nigeria.
Christiana Inuaesiet Edemekong
Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Trans-Ekulu, P.M.B. 01473, Enugu, Nigeria.
Francis Amadi Ibiam
Department of Otorhinlaryngology (ENT), Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, P.M.B. 1010, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Ifeanyichukwu Romanus Iroha
Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, P.M.B. 53, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Antimicrobial agent use in pisciculture exerts a selective pressure, resulting in a reservoirs of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli in the aquatic environment. Here we screened pisciculture and fish parts as non-clinical source of CTX-M and TEM Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamases (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli in Southeastern Nigeria
Methodology: A total of sixty fish parts [fish gills, body part and intestinal swab samples] were collected from pisciculture farm A, C, F and G within Abakaliki metropolis. The samples were bacteriologically analyzed using standard microbiological techniques for isolation and identification. ESBL enzymes were phenotypically detected in E. coli, isolates using the double disk diffusion technique. The presence of TEM and CTX-M genes was determined by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers.
Results: Escherichia coli and Extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli accounted for overall occurrence rate of 27(45.0 %) and 17(28.3 %) respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of Escherichia coli and ESBL-E. coli among the different samples P>0.05. The presence of TEM and CTX-M gene 80 % and 100 % respectively were confirmed among the isolates.
Conclusion: Our findings reports the presence of ESBL gene in pisciculture and fish parts and it is important in understanding the mechanism of resistance operating in these common pathogens, which are also endemic in most pisciculture area. Strict rules and monitoring/surveillance of antimicrobial agent used in pisciculture activities combined with food safety training of farmer owners/breeders on various aspects of good hygiene practices are strongly recommended.
Keywords: Pisciculture, CTX-M, TEM, Escherichia coli