Molecular Identification and Antibiotic Resistance Pattern of Vibrio Species from Clinical and Environmental Sources in Buguma, Nigeria

Aim: To Molecularly Characterize Vibrio Species Isolated from Clinical Sources and Water Bodies in Buguma. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study with simple randomized sampling technique. Methodology: The study used a total of 80 samples comprising of 40 stool and 40 water samples from different water bodies where public toilets were collected in Buguma community in Rivers State, Nigeria. The Vibrio species were isolated from samples using thiosulphate citrate bile salt agar (TCBS), and blood agar as a confirmatory after which biochemical tests and 16S rRNA detection were carried out for further identification. Antibiotic sensitivity test was performed according to Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and conventional polymerase chain reaction was used to detect blaTEM and AMPC antibiotic resistance gene. Results: The resistance profiles of the isolates showed the highest rate of resistance observed by the Vibrio spp was noted with cefpodoxime and amoxicillin + clavulanic acid while some other isolates were 100 percent susceptible to ciprofloxacin. With a MAR score higher than 0.2, it also indicates high use of antibiotics in the research area. The prevalence of AMPC resistant genes in human stools was 66.6% while that of blaTEM was Nil. The prevalence of AMPC resistant genes in water samples was 100% while that of blaTEM was 33.3% Conclusion: The discovery of isolates containing genes for antibiotic resistance and many drug-resistant Vibrio species suggests possible health danger to the public.