Microbiological Evaluation and Plasmid Profile of Fresh African Mud Catfish (Clarius gariepinus) in some Towns in Ekiti State. Nigeria

Fish farming is one of the fast growing farms in Nigeria. In Nigeria, catfish accounts for about 80% of aquaculture production and are highly nutritious food commodity with wide consumer acceptance. The work is aimed at evaluating the microbiological resistant pattern and plasmids profile of bacteria isolated from catfish samples. The skin surface were swabbed and the gills of the fresh catfish samples were aseptically removed and mascerated for isolation of bacteria. The total plate count ranges from (1.3-2.8)x104 CFU/ml. The total coliform count ranges from (0.8-2.4)x103 CFU/ml and the total Escherichia coli count ranges from (0.3-1.5)x103CFU/ml. Ten bacteria genera were identified from the 30 isolates. Pseudomonas spp 6(20%), Staphylococcus aureus 5(16.7%), Proteus spp. 4(13.3%), Escherichia coli 4(13.3%). Klebsiella spp. 3(10%), Shigella spp. 2(6.7%), Serretia spp. 2(6.7%), Enterobacter spp. 2(6.7%), Streptococcus spp. 1(3.3%) and Aeromonas spp. 1(3.3%). Eight different antibiotics were used against 30 bacteria. Nine (30%) Nitrofurantoin were resistant, 26(86.67%) to Augumentin, 2(6.67%) to Ofloxacin, 20(66.67%) to cefuroxime, 16(53.33%) to Gentamycin, 23(76.67%) to cefotaxine, 21(70%) to ceftazidine and 8(26.67%) to Ciprofloxacin. Multiple resistance was observed in Enterobacter spp.(BS4) with molecular size ˃2.3130kbp, Klebsiella spp.(CS2) ˃2.3130kbp, Proteus spp.(CS3) ˃2.3130kbp, Aeromonas spp.(BG3) ˃2.3130kbp, Pseudomonas spp.(AG3) with no plasmid, Pseudomonas spp.(AG4) ˂2.3130kbp, Pseudomonas spp.(CG4) 2.3130kbp, Shigella spp.(BG1)˂2.3130kbp, S.auerus(CS4)˂2.3130kbp and S.auerus(CG2) ˂2.3130kbp. Therefore, this study recommends that good hygienic conditions and use of clean water during breeding and processing of catfishes should be strictly adhered to and also, indiscriminate use of antibiotics in feeds and treatment of ponds should be avoided