Survey of bacterial isolates from cases of fish disease outbreaks and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns

Abstract

Information on regional pattern of outbreak of fish diseases in commercial fish farm is important in ensuring formulation of the right policies aimed at ensuring minimal losses in the aquaculture sector. A twelve month survey (January to December 2012) of outbreaks of bacterial diseases from fish farms in south west Nigeria was done, using data from cases received at the Veterinary diagnostic laboratory of Animal Care services konsult (Nig.) Ltd. Out of 141 bacterial disease outbreaks in catfishes, 19 were of Heterobranchus bidorsalis while 122 were of Clarias gariepinus. Staphylococcus aureus and other species of Staphylococcus were responsible for 31.2% of the outbreaks. Bacillus spp, Streptococcus spp and Klebsiella oxytoca were completely resistant to Oxytetracycline, while the highest level of susceptibility to Enrofloxacin was 83.3% amongst Aeromonas isolates and that of Streptomycin was 78.57% with Bacillus spp. Formulation of national policies on health of aquatic animals of high economic value will depend strongly on feedbacks from data obtained on the field.