Pisciculture and Fish Parts as Non-clinical Source of CTX-M and TEM Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamases Producing Escherichia coli in Southeastern Nigeria

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.