Abstract
BACKGROUND: Aeromonas species are one of the most important etiologies of diseases in fish farms, leading to clinical manifestation and mortality and are associated with public health risks. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, phenotypic and molecular characteristics of Aeromonas species isolated from farmed Clarias gariepinus using 16 S rRNA sequencing. Additionally, their antibiogram and multiple antibiotic resistance index were determined using a disc diffusion test. RESULTS: A total of 230 Aeromonas strains were isolated from Clarias gariepinus with 40.9% obtained from diseased fish, and 25% isolated from apparently healthy ones. Five different species including Aeromonas caviae, Aeromonas veronii, Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas dhakensis and Aeromonas enteropelogenes were fully identified and genetically characterized. Based on the available literature, this is the first report of Aeromonas enteropelogenes from the study area. The phylogenetic analysis showed genetic heterogeneity and distance within the species and the reference strains. The multiple resistant Aeromonas species were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, gentamycin, and florfenicol. The Aeromonas species' multiple antibiotic resistance index values varied between 0.20 and 0.80 and were isolated from the farms where antibiotics were intensively used. CONCLUSIONS: The diversity of multidrug-resistant Aeromonas species isolated from fish farms is a major threat to fish production giving us more understanding of epidemiology and the multidrug Aeromonas species with a MAR index of greater than 0.2 were isolated from farms where antibiotic use was widespread. As a result, a considerably increased danger of multiple antibiotic resistance spreading to the fish culture environment may impact aquaculture production. Hence there is a need for appropriate and monitored drug usage.