Antibiotics Sensitivity of Bacteria Pathogens Isolated from Tilapia in Aquaculture Systems in Owerri, Imo State

Abstract

The antibiotics susceptibility of bacterial pathogens isolated from apparently healthy and diseased tilapia fish from commercial and private fish ponds in Owerri was studied. A total of 7 apparently healthy and 7 diseased tilapias were collected from selected fish ponds in Owerri North and examined bacteriologically for the presence of bacteria pathogens. Ten genera of bacteria: Proteus spp, E. coli, Pseudomonas spp. Enterobacter spp, Staphylococcus spp, Bacillus spp, Streptococcus spp, Aeromonus spp, Klebsiella spp and Salmonella spp. were isolated from the skin, fins. gills, and intestine of the fishes. E. coli was the most prevalent (34.7%) followed by Staphylococcus spp ( 15.2%) while Klebsiella and Enterobacter spp (2.8%) were the least prevalent bacteria in the apparently healthy fishes. Salmonella spp were entirely absent in the apparently healthy fishes. ln diseased fishes, E. coli was the most prevalent (32.8%) followed by Pseudomonas spp (18.8%) while Klebsiella and Streptococcus spp ( 1.5%) were the least prevalent. Enterobacter spp were found absent in diseased fish. Antibiotic susceptibility test on the isolates using commercially prepared discs showed that Ciprofloxacin exhibited the highest level (97.8%) of growth inhibitory effects while Nalidixic acid exhibited the least (64.0%).

Key Words: Antibiotics sensitivity, Tilapia, Aquaculture, Bacteria Pathogens, Prevalence