Detection of Multi-Drug Resistant Enterococcus Spp. in Farmed Pangasius Ponds Using Poultry Waste as Feed

Abstract

The alarming rise of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria pathogenic to humans and animals poses a major threat to the public health sector. Enterococci are a complex group of bacteria that causes nosocomial infections in humans. It has been widely acknowledged that the environmental loading of antibiotics from hospitals, livestock farms, aquaculture sector and sewage plants create a hot spot for the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The sediment, water and fish samples from Pangasius culture ponds using raw and cooked poultry waste
as feed, and normal fish feed were screened for the presence of MDR Enterococcus faecalis. AMR was analysed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Among the 83 enterococci isolates, 65 % of the isolates were E. faecalis, all of which exhibited multi-drug resistant phenotypes. The isolates showed maximum resistance to macrolide, tetracycline and lincosamide (100 %) class of antimicrobials. The present study reflects the impact of erroneous practices followed by certain farmers in spreading AMR in aquaculture and environment and the occurrence of MDR enterococci in aquaculture farms is a matter of serious concern. Awareness programmes among farmers, better regulations, regular surveillance and encouraging adoption of better management practices can go a long way to limit the spread of such MDR superbugs.

Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, food production systems, aquaculture, poultry waste, Enterococcus faecalis