Pathogenic and zoonotic potential of bacterial flora of commercial fish ponds in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria are normal microflora of the aquatic ecosystem. The bacterial organisms isolated in this study are from fish and pond water samples collected from 3 farms, and they belong to the following families: Streptococcaceae, Staphylococcaceae. Enterobacteriaceae, Psedomonadaceae, Vibrionaceae and Aeromonadaceae. Seven of the 13 bacterial species isolated namely; Citrobacter freundii, Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibrio vulnificus. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aeromonas schubertii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Edwardsiella tarda are pathogenic to fish in freshwater habitat, while almost all the 13 species are pathogenic to humans. These organisms are therefore of economically significant to commercially important farmed fishes, have zoonotic potential and are of public health importance to man. Strict hygiene and biosecurity measures become very important on fish farms to avoid disease outbreaks. Consumers should also avoid eating raw and lightly cooked aquatic products.