Microbial Assessment and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Bacterial Fish Isolates in an Aquaculture Production Site in Mefou Afamba Division of Cameroon

The practice of integrated fish farming and the use of local fish meal and manure for fish feeding in Cameroon constitute potential sources of resistant pathogenic bacteria in the fish pond environment.Therefore,a periodical and constant monitoring of the microbiological quality of fish pond is imperative.This study was to assess the microbial contamination of Mfou aquaculture production site and evaluate the antibiotic resistance profile of bacterial fish isolates.Samples of pond water(n=36),sediment(n=36),fishmeal(n=12)and African catfish(Clarias gariepinus),kanga(Heterotis niloticus)and Nile Tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus)(n=36,each)were collected to determine TVAC(Total Viable Aerobic Bacterial Count),FC(Fungal Count),SAC(Staphylococcus aureus count),TCC(Total Coliform Count)and FCC(Feacal Coliform Count).The fish skin isolates of S.aureus,Enterobacter sakazakii,Citrobacter freundii,Serratia fonticola,Klebsiella oxytoca,Proteus spp.,Aeromonas hydrophila,Kluyvera spp.,Moraxella spp.,Pasteurella multocida and Pseudomonas fluorescens were tested against penicillin G(10μg),chloramphenicol(30μg),sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim(25μg),erythromycin(15μg),tetracycline(30μg),using the disk diffusion method.Results reveal a heavy contamination of fish farms with microbial load above the recommended limits.Our study indicates that fish ponds are sources of zoonotic pathogens underlining their epidemiological and clinical relevance.All bacterial isolates were multiresistant with a multiple antibiotic resistance index above 0.2.These data raise concern about the microbial contamination of aquaculture and associated public health risks in Cameroon.

Factors Influencing Salmonella Contamination and Microbial Load of Beef Carcass at the Yaoundé Slaughterhouse, Cameroon

Delivering safe beef carcass at the Yaoundéabattoir is challenged by improper Good Manufacturing Practices(GMP)and poor hygiene practices leading to microbial contamination during slaughtering and dressing processes.This study was to estimate the safety and quality of carcasses via detection of Salmonella and evaluation of aerobic colony count(ACC),Enterobacteriaceae count(EC).Swabs of carcass from 145 cattle were collected at three different sites.Hides&anus from live cattle,butchers’hands,and processing environment were also swabbed.Detection of Salmonella was carried out following ISO 6579.ACC and EC were evaluated using ISO 4833 and ISO 21528-2.Beef carcass registered higher Salmonella prevalence(4.37%).Generally,microbial load of carcass was beyond FAO microbiological criteria.The post-evisceration carcasses had the highest isolation rate of Salmonella(52.63%).Both sampling site and seasonal variations had statistically significant impact(p<0.05)on microbial load.Our results reflected poor conditions of slaughtering and inadequate hygienic practices.There is an urgent need for training the abattoir personnel on the GMP and need for the implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point(HACCP)principles throughout the slaughtering process at the Yaoundéslaughterhouse.