Virulence Factors and Antibiogram of Bacteria from Fresh Aquatic Produce from Open Air Market Centre in Okepedi, Itu, Akwa Ibom State

The study on virulence factors and antibiogram of bacteria from fresh aquatic produce sold in the open market centre of Okepedi fishing settlement, Itu, Akwa Ibom State was investigated using standard microbiological techniques and analytical procedures. The skin, gills and intestine of Tilapia guinensis and Marcusenius senegalensis as well as that of viscera of shrimps (Macrobranchium rosenbergii, Crangon vulgaris and Paneaus monodon) were all investigated. The study revealed that all the fishes and shrimps obtained from the Okepedi open market centre were contaminated with microorganisms. The heterotrophic bacterial density accumulated by the fishes and crustaceans exceeded 1.2 x 105 cfu/g recommended in fresh fish and shrimps. The high faecal coliform load of the fishes and shrimps has shown that the river surrounding the market is highly contaminated with faecal matter. Bacterial contaminant isolated from fishes and shrimps used in this study included Micrococcus sp, Streptococcus sp, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter aerogene, Salmonella sp, Vibrio cholera, Bacilus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Enterococus sp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Serratia sp. Among these isolates, multiple antibiotics resistant bacteria were identified. Bacilus subtilis was resistant to all the tested antibiotics (100% MAR index) while Micrococcus sp had the least index. Plasmid profile study of Enterobacter aerogene, E. coli Bacilus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus revealed that isolates were plasmid-coded in plasmid of about 300 bp. The presence of this plasmid suggests that the resistant genes could be harboured in the plasmids. The occurrence of plasmid mediated multidrug resistant in bacteria in these aquatic produce lightens the public health concern and therefore, efforts should be make to maintain and enforce adequate sanitation practices in the habitats of these produce. The present study however challenge scientists on the need for development of new antibiotics to combat the infections caused by these resistant strains.