Bacteriological Assessment and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Bacteria Recovered from Clarias gariepinus Selected from Various Fish Farms in Anambra North Senatorial Zones in Anambra State, Nigeria

Fishes are cheap sources of protein and are commonly reared in artificial pond in Nigeria. Bacterial infested fishes have been a serious public health concern. This study was aimed at isolating and identifying bacteria associated with the internal organs (gills, liver, guts) of Clarias gariepinus (African Catfish) in fish ponds in Anambra North Senatorial zones in Anambra State, Nigeria, and to determine the seasonal bacterial load of the organs and antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolates to conventional antibiotics. A total of 720 African catfish were sampled from randomly selected fish farms during rainy and dry seasons. Bacteria isolates inoculated on Blood and Nutrient agar plates were identified based on morphological and biochemical characteristics. Susceptibility of the isolates to antibiotics was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Isolates from the fish organs include species of Vibrio, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus, Microbacterium, Serratia, Proteus, Bacillus, Streptococcus, Citrobacter and Micrococcus. Results also revealed that there was significant difference (p value < 0.05) in the bacterial load recovered from the fish organs, during rainy and dry seasons. Bacillus sp. was the most abundant gram positive bacterium in the organs of the fish samples during the rainy and dry season, while Citrobacter sp., a gram negative organism, was relatively abundant in the liver and gut. Percentage susceptibility of the bacteria to antibiotics was highest with vancomycin (100%) and least with erythromycin (75.0%). The most susceptible isolates were species of Staphylococcus, Microccoccus and Microbacterium while Bacillus sp. was the most resistant bacterium. This study has shown How to cite this paper: Ogbukagu, C.M., Anaukwu, C.G., Ekwealor, C.C., Mba, A.N. and Ekwealor, I.A. (2021) Bacteriological Assessment and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Bacteria Recovered from Clarias gariepinus Selected from Various Fish Farms in Anambra North Senatorial Zones in Anambra State, Nigeria. Advances in Microbiology, 11, 243-256. https://doi.org/10.4236/aim.2021.115018 Received: April 15, 2021 Accepted: May 18, 2021 Published: May 21, 2021 Copyright © 2021 by author(s) and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


Introduction
In many countries, fish is consumed and is considered to be a good source of dietary protein. Fish and fish-products are important not only from a nutritional point of view but also as an item of international trade and foreign exchange earnings for a number of countries in the world [1]. On a global scale, they are the most important source of protein, and is estimated that more than 30% of fish for human consumption comes from aquaculture [1]. The fisheries and aquaculture sector significantly expanded in the past decades, and total production, trade and consumption reached an all-time record of 179 million tonnes in 2018 [2]. The top fish producers are China and Indonesia, accounting for almost 50 percent of total global capture production [2]. Over the past 35 years, aquaculture production in Nigeria has grown by 12 percent annually, from a little over 6000 metric tons in 1980 to nearly 307,000 metric tons in 2016 [3]. Nigeria is the largest fish producer in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 52 percent of the total farmed fish production in the region [4].
Clarias gariepinus is freshwater fish species of African origin and is one of the most cultured species in the world. This fish species is valuable for fish farming (aquaculture) due to its easy to farm especially in warm climates, fast growth rate, resistance to diseases, and high stocking density [5]. Fishes are reared in different water culture media or confinement such as concrete, earthen or plastic ponds. Concrete and earthen ponds have been the widely used culture system for fish [6]. Fishes reared in these environments are contaminated by both pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms. Fish contamination can be linked to raw material, personnel, processing tools such as forklifts through leakage, opening in building and pests [1].
Fish take a large number of bacteria into their gut from water sediment and food [7]. These microbes exist in the aquatic environment and they enter the digestive tract of fish and form commensal intestinal microbiota inside the intestine [8]. The tissue of a healthy fish is normally considered sterile until after bacterial invasion which leads to spoilage [1]. According to Reference [9], the normal bacterial load of the surface slime of fish range from 10 2 -10 7 cfu/cm 2 while the gills and intestines range up to 10 3 -10 7 cfu/g. The microbial load increases with increasing temperature and results in rapid fish spoilage [10]. According to Reference [11], working on microbial load of smoked-dried fishes observed that the mean total bacterial count from the fish samples was significantly higher in rainy season than in dry season.
Although only a few infectious agents in fish are able to infect humans, some exceptions exists that may result in fatalities [12]. However the greatest risk to human health is due to the consumption of raw or insufficiently processed fish and fish products [12]. Bacteria found on African Catfish majorly belong to genera of Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Flavobacterium, Vibrio, Micrococcus, Bacillus and Aeromonas. Some exist as microflora in pond water and large water bodies. These bacteria can be found on the gills, skin, fin or in the intestinal tracts of fish under normal conditions but due to environmental stress they may produce epizootics diseases while some are also pathogenic organisms [13].
Knowledge about antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria is vital for the proper management of the diseases they cause. Some of these microorganisms possess resistant determinant which enhances their potentials for infecting consumers. For instance, Escherichia coli is known to survive well in aquatic environments, highly adept at horizontal gene transfer and a notorious vehicle for antibiotic resistance dissemination [6]. Reference [14] reported up to 100% resistance against various antibiotics in fish farms and [15] observed multiple resistance in fish. The number of infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria in fish is rising worldwide [16].
The aims of the study was to isolate and identify bacteria associated with the gut, gill and liver of African fish (Clarias gariepinus); determine the seasonal bacterial load of the fish and evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolates on selected antibiotics.

Description of Study Area
The study area was Anambra North Senatorial zones, one of the three senatorial zones in Anambra state of Nigeria. It covers an area approximately 4416 km 2 [17], and lies at Latitude of 6˚20'N and longitude 7˚00'E. Fish samples were obtained randomly from twenty fish farms from Anambra State.

Description of the Sampled Fish Ponds
All the sampled fish ponds were open ponds with a carrying capacity of 100 -1000 fishes per time, made of concrete with varying dimensions. The source of water for running the pond was bore holes which were built within the farm. The spent fish pond waters are mostly removed fortnightly through an opening properly channeled to drainage system. African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) was the only fish held in these ponds.

Collection of Fish Samples
A total of 720 fishes of Clarias gariepinus (African catfish) were aseptically collected from the fish farm sites between the periods of May to October 2016 (Rainy season) and November to April, 2017 (Dry season). The fishes were transported in a sterile polythene bag to the laboratory for further examination. All samples collected were processed and analysed within 3 h of collection.

Preparation of Stock Cultures from Fish
The fishes were observed, to note external symptoms. Weight of each fish was measured using weighing balance of 0.01 g sensitivity. Fish gills, gut and liver were harvested aseptically with the aid of sterile dissecting blades and forceps, and were transferred into properly labeled sterile containers for microbiological analysis. Ig of the dissected gill was macerated in 9 ml of sterile distilled water. This was vigorously shaken for 1 min and allowed to stand for 5 min. The gut and liver of the fish were similarly treated. They served as the stock culture.

Enumeration and Isolation of Bacterial Organisms in Fish Samples
A 10-fold serial dilution of the original stock culture of the gills of the fish was prepared. A 0.1 ml of 10 −4 dilution was inoculated onto sterile Blood and Nutrient agar (Oxoid) plate using spread plate technique and incubated at 37˚C for 24 h. Developed colonies were counted and subcultured on freshly prepared sterile Nutrient agar plate to obtain pure cultures which were stored at 4˚C for further studies. The gut and liver of the fish were similarly treated.

Identification of the Bacterial Isolates from Fish Samples
The bacterial isolates were characterized based on their morphological and biochemical characteristics as described by Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology [18]. Biochemical tests carried out include Gram reaction, motility, indole, methyl red, Voges-Proskaeur, citrate utilization, catalase, oxidase and sugar fermentation tests.

Frequency of the Bacterial Isolates from the Fish Samples
The percentage frequency of the bacterial isolates from the gills, liver and gut of the fish samples were determined. This was calculated from:

( )
Frequency of occurrence Percentage frequency % 100 Total number of occurrence = ×

Antibiotic Susceptibility Tests of the Bacterial Isolates from Fish Samples
Susceptibility of the bacterial isolates to conventional antibiotics was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Muller-Hinton agar with 0.1 ml of standardized bacterial suspension (1.0 McFarland standard) [19]. A loopful of the standardized inocula (3.0 × 10 8 cfu/ml) was spread inoculated onto sterile Mueller Hinton agar plate, allowed to dry and the antibiotic discs placed on it using a sterile forcep. Antibiotics tested were randomly selected and include Vancomycin (30 µg), Trimethoprim (75 µg), Ciprofloxacin (5 µg), Gentamycin (10 µg), Streptomycin (10 µg), Oxytetracycline (10 µg), Ampicillin (10 µg) and Erythromycin (15 µg). The plate was incubated at 37˚C and the zones of growth inhibition around the antibiotic discs were measured after 24 h. The result was interpreted as resistant or susceptible according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines [20].

Statistical Analysis
Univariate and One way analysis of variance were used to analyze the data obtained using SPSS version 21 [21].

Enumeration and Isolation of Bacterial Organisms in Fish Samples
The mean bacterial count obtained from the gill, liver and gut of the fish samples

Discussion
Fish farming in artificial ponds is a common practice in some parts of Anambra state as a means of ensuring constant supply of fishes. Fish in their natural habitat may not be free from bacteria infestation but the rate however is highly dependent on some key environmental and climatic factors as well as the species of fish and bacteria [22]). Certain environmental factors tend to encourage the rate of infestation while others instead affect bacteria survival and development negatively [22]. The timings of bacteria infestation on fish is also to some extent controlled by seasonal changes with the consequent changes in climatic conditions [22]. Considering the findings from the artificial fish habitat it may be concluded that the presence of these bacteria in skin and gills may be attributed to poor sanitary conditions under which the fishes are cultured in the ponds. The seasonal variation of the bacterial load in the internal organs of fish samples obtained from different fish farms in Anambra state (Figures 1-3), showed that bacterial load was higher during rainy season than during dry season. The bacterial load in the gill of the fish samples was higher than the counts obtained in the gut and liver in both dry and rainy seasons.
The high bacterial load in the gill, liver and gut (Figures 1-3) of fishes observed during the rainy season in this study could be attributed to cool atmospheric environment and pond water temperature, which is conducive for proliferation of mesophilic organisms. At increased weather temperature, during the dry season, microbial counts of the fishes in open ponds are adversely affected.
This view supports the work of [23], who reported high microbial load in fresh Engraulicypris sardella (Usipa) during the rainy season than in the dry season.
Similarly, [11], recorded a significantly higher mean total bacterial count during the rainy season than in the dry season, in their comparative analysis of the microbial load of smoke-dried fishes (Ethmalosa fimbriata and Pseudotolithus elongatus) sold in Oba and Koko markets in Edo and Delta States, Nigeria. Contrary to our findings, [24] reported a high microbial load in fishes during the dry season than in rainy season. They observed that freshwater fish in ponds commonly suffer from bacterial diseases such as various kinds of skin ulcerations, albinoderma, erythroderma, furunculosis, and verticle-scale disease, primarily caused by Aeromonas sp. and Pseudomonas sp. However, bacterial load of fishes depends on the microbial flora and sanitary conditions of the fish pond water, whether dry season or rainy season. The bacterial load recorded in the gills (Figure 1), was significantly higher (P value < 0.05) than that recovered from other organs. This may be due to the fact that gills play an important role in filtering microscopic organisms while in water, and these smaller particles entrapped by the gill filaments in a mucous lead to higher level of bacterial population. This observation is in line with the work of [25], who reported high bacterial count in the gills than in other organs sampled. They recorded counts ranging from 0.73 ± 0.0030 × 10 3 -2.55 ± 0.0128 × 10 3 cfu/g. Similar range of bacterial count was recorded by [5], during their work on microbiota of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) tissues, and opined that the higher microbial load in gills than liver and intestine is due to the gill's constant interaction with the water environment. On the contrary, very high bacterial load of 12.10 ± 0.42 × 10 12 CFU/g in the intestine, followed by gill (12.10 ± 0.42 × 10 12 CFU/g) and least in the liver (6.48 ± 1.06 × 10 6 CFU/g) of Tilapia was reported by [26], during their work on prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria in Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L. They also noted that poor sanitary conditions could have been the cause of such high load. Similarly, [27] reported that the intestine of fish is heavily colonized by heterotrophic bacteria. Reference [28], reported high bacterial loads in guts than observed in the skin. Reference [29], also noted high bacterial load in the gut when compared to the skin and gills.
The bacteriological analysis of the internal organs of fish samples revealed the presence of several bacterial genera. Table 1 and Figure 4 and Figure 5 shows the percentage occurrence of the bacterial isolates during rainy and dry seasons.
The bacterial isolates recovered in this study are in line with the work of other researchers [30] [31]. The high prevalence rate of Bacillus spp. in the fish organs during both seasons observed in this study supports the work of [30]. They reported in their work on isolation, characterization and antibiotic resistance profile of bacteria from the gut of African catfish that Bacillus spp. was the most occurring bacteria. Similarly, in the work of [32], Bacillus spp. had the highest percentage occurrence. The high occurrence of Bacillus sp. in the fish organs during both seasons could be due to their high adaptability to such environments. Bacillus spp being spore formers can adapt to very harsh conditions. Citrobacter sp, a gram negative bacterium, was found to have the highest percentage occurrence in fish liver and gut during the dry seasons ( Figure 4 and Figure 5). This finding supports the work of [33], in their study on diversity of enterobacteriaceae retrieved from diseased cultured Oreochromis niloticus. They recorded the highest percentage prevalence of Citrobacter sp (26.74%) in the internal organs of the fish especially in the liver. Contrary to our findings, [31], in their work on isolation and identification of bacteria flora from catfish, noted that Aeromonas sorbia was the most occurring bacteria. The low prevalence of Vibrio sp. and Proteus sp. observed in this study (Figure 4 and Figure 5) is in line with the work of [34]. In their study on the preliminary survey of gramnegative bacteria pathogens from commonly caught fish species (Oreochromis C. M. Ogbukagu et al. niloticus, Cyprinus carpio and Clarias gariepinus), they recorded a low prevalence of species of Vibrio and Proteus. However, [35] reported a high prevalence of Vibrio sp. in their study on aerobic bacterial flora of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) cultured in earthen ponds in Saudi Arabia. Reference [36], also worked on bacterial microflora of fish and reported that the liver and kidney of healthy turbot were highly populated by mostly Pseudomonas and Vibrio including V.fischeri, V. harveyi, V. Pelagius, and V. splendidus.
The increasing rate of antibiotic resistance among livestock-associated organisms has raised serious public health concern [16]. The bacterial isolates in this study, showed varying susceptibility and resistance to the antibiotics tested ( Table 2). All the isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, but showed highest resistance to erythromycin (75%). Contrary to our findings, [32], observed a 100% resistance to erythromycin from organisms isolated during their work on microbial evaluation and occurrence of antidrug multi-resistant organisms among the indigenous Clarias species in River Oluwa, Nigeria. The susceptibility of all the bacterial isolates to vancomycin as recorded in this study is similar to the works of [37] and [38]. While [37] recorded that all the isolates from fish samples in China were susceptible to vancomycin, cephalexin and florfenicol, [38], observed a high susceptibility of the bacterial isolates from Nile Tilapia to vancomycin alongside ampicillin, chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin. Reference [39], also reported varying levels of susceptibility to vancomycin, nitrofurantoin, azithromycin, gentamicin and levofloxacin by bacterial isolates from infected fishes. Highest resistance of the bacterial isolates to the antibiotics tested was observed in Bacillus sp. Staphylococcus sp., Micrococcus sp and Microbacterium sp. showed 100% susceptibility while Pseudomonas sp., Streptococcus sp., Citrobacter sp., Proteus sp., Lactobacillus sp., Vibrio sp. and Aeromonas sp. were resistant to only one antibiotic ( Table 2). The resistance of the isolates to antibiotics could be attributed to indiscrimate use of these antibiotics in aquaculture.
Rearing of fishes in artificial ponds has been observed to contain large population of bacteria, some of which are opportunistic pathogens to fish and man. The bacterial load in the fish organs varied with season, and has been observed to be higher in the gills than in the other organs sampled. Bacillus sp was the most resistant bacterium to the antibiotics tested while erythromycin was the most resisted antibiotic.