Prevalence and antibiogram study of <i>Aeromonas</i> species isolated from aquaculture and abattoir sources in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Aeromonas has been recognised as the primary source of bacterial sickness in aquaculture and agricultural animals. Thorough examination of these disorders and their detrimental effects on public health is lacking in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Hence, it was imperative to evaluate the occurrence and resistance profiles of the bacteria present in particular aquaculture and abattoir environments against antimicrobial drugs. The technique encompassed the acquisition of wastewater samples from abattoirs and aquaculture plants located in different locations around Ebonyi State. The specimens were gathered utilising specimen containers and thereafter conveyed to the laboratory for subsequent examination. Aeromonas species were obtained from samples collected from aquaculture facilities and abattoirs. Aeromonas isolates were examined using Aeromonas agar and identified using morphological and biochemical analysis. The investigation revealed significant variations (p<0.05) in the microbial load among different locations, with values ranging from 4.0±0.33x106 CFU/mL to 36.2±0.25x106 CFU/mL. The prevalence of Aeromonas species showed substantial variance among different locales, ranging from 5.40% to 12.90%. The medications exhibited a range of susceptibility patterns, ranging from complete resistance (100%) to amoxicillin clavulanic acid, cefotaxime, tobramycin, and ceftazidime, to a 40% susceptibility to imipenem. The isolates displayed a MAR index ranging from 0.6 to 1.0, with an average value of 0.8. The study found that the abattoir and aquaculture environment can act as a possible reservoir for Aeromonas, which could potentially pose a health hazard to humans who consume meat and fish from these farms.