MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF SOME MICROBES ISOLATED FROM SMOKE-DRIED FISH SOLD IN PORT HARCOURT AND THEIR PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE

Ekwe, Ann Wada*, Wokem, Gloria Ngozika, Azuonwu, Obioma

ABSTRACT

The study investigated molecular characterization of smoke-dried fish Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niluticus (Catfish and Tilapia) sold in some markets in Port Harcourt. Eighty (80) fish samples were collected from Oil Mill, Mile 3, Rumuokoro and Borokiri markets and their antibiotics susceptibility pattern determined. The fish samples were swabbed and analyzed microbiologically using standard procedure. The bacteria isolates were then characterized molecularly using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The antibiotics susceptibility patterns were determined using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The bacteria isolated from the smoke-dried fish were Proteus 25% followed by Bacillus sp 15%, E. coli, Providencial sp and Klebseilla sp had 10% each while other bacteria strains had total of 5% each. The mean value of the smoke-dried fish measured were Borokiri 3.6 x 105, Mile/3 4.7 x 105, Oil Mill 3.8 x 105 and Rumokoro market 3.7 x 105 respectively. The study shows divers bacteria species exist in smoke-dried fish. Catfish had a mean count of 4.3 x 105 ± 2.4 x 105 and tilapia had 3.7 x 105± 2.7 x105CFU/mL which was not significant, the mile/3 market had the highest microbial load among all the markets in the study. The present study took cognizance of the educational level of the fish sellers, fish storage, and age of fish sellers as well as contamination awareness of fish sellers through questionnaire which could lead to unhygienic practices thereby resulting to more microbial load of the smoke-dried fish through faecal contamination. 63.6% of isolates from the result is among the smoke-dried fish stored on the floor. In the study there was no resistance on any of the antibiotics, the antibiotics used were Gentamycin 10mg, Ampiclox 10mg, Rifampicin 10 mg, Amoxil 20 mg, Streptomycin 30 mg, Norfloxacin 30 mg, Chloramphenicol 30 mg, Ciprofloxacin 30 mg, Erythromycin 20mg and Levofloxacin 20 mg. Rifampicin, Streptomycin and Levofloxacin were the most sensitive antibiotics among others. The study isolated some opportunistic pathogens but they were all sensitive to the antibiotics used.

Keywords: Bacillus sp 15%, E. coli, Providencial sp and Klebseilla sp.