Antibiotic and heavy metal resistance profile of pathogens isolated from infected fish in Tuticorin, south-east coast of India

Abstract

The antibiotic and heavy metal resistance profile of pathogens isolated from infected fishes of the Thirespuram landing centre, Tuticorin, south-east coast of Inida are described. The study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of antibiotic and heavy metal resistance profile to control bacterial diseases in fishes. The isolates showed multiple antibiotic resistance patterns and were tolerant to almost all the heavy metals tested. All the isolated pathogens except Vibrio ordalli were resistant against Ampicillin, Bacitracin, Carbenicillin and Nalidixic acid. All the pathogens were sensitive towards Gentamycin, Streptomycin and Chloramphenicol. Vibrio harveyi was resistant to all the antibiotics used. The results provide information on the correlation between bacterial antibiotic resistance and heavy metal tolerance. These observations indicate that the occurrence of fish pathogens with high incidence of resistance for antibiotics and heavy metals may pose risk to fish fauna and public health.