E.coli presence in aquaculture attributed to the contamination of the water by animal waste [28]. Its isolation from fish samples indicates fecal contamination of the water resulting from the livestock manure. The contamination of food and environment with a bacteriological condition like E.coli is almost originated from human and animal feces.
Isolation of E.coli was done by taking swab samples from the skin and muscle of fresh fish. Isolation of E.coli from fish muscle and skin has a statically significant difference with p-value 0.000 or 69(32.54%) and 11(8.4%) from skin and muscle, respectively. E.coli is more found in fish skin than muscle. Skin has a chance to contact with water and other environment contaminated with feces that have many pathogenic bacteria]. This study is similar to Rafael who isolated more E. coli from fish skin than muscle and they conclude that fish muscle can contaminate with different bacteria during harvesting but the skin has direct contact to the environment it can easily contact with many pathogenic or non-pathogenic E.coli.
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The same to and a pun et al. (1991) in this study skin is a more vulnerable organ of fish for E.coli than muscle. The percentage of E.coli isolates from muscle was much lower than skin. Pao et al. 2008 reported that the detection of E.coli on fish muscle can be explained by contamination with intestinal contents during harvesting. They stated that the occasional presence of E. coli in fish muscle is a clear indication of the persistent occurrence of fecal contamination in fish harvesting and processing.
The samples taken from different fish species namely Nile tilapia, African catfish and Barbus (golden fish) for determination of the most important species susceptible to infection with E. coli O157: H7 is not statically significant p-value (0.905). The study showed that there was no significant difference among the fish species considered as to the prevalence of E. coli infection. This is not in agreement with previous reports higher infection in Plankton feeders, Nile tilapia species for E. coli than Catfish.
The contamination of fish with pathogenic E.coli O157: H7 probably occurs during harvesting of fish and production process (Sam et al., 2012). In this study pathogenic E.coli O157: H7 was isolated from fish muscle and skin 1(0.76%) and 7(3.32%) respectively. Romero Ayulo et al. (1994) isolate pathogenic E.coli O157: H7 from fish muscle the result is almost similar to this study. They isolate one E.coli O157: H7 from 30 fish meat samples 1(3.33%). As Wang and Doyle (1998) report that E.coli O157: H7 can survive several days in water. It can contaminate skin due to direct contact with water and muscle due to stress during harvesting. Therefore, fecal contamination of water sources or aquaculture environments by E.coli O157: H7 can act as a vehicle of transmission of E.coli O157: H7 infections.
Orsi reported that pathogenic E.coli in water bodies in Brazil, and Licence reported contamination of water supplies by E.coli O157: H7 in Scotland. This suggests that fish contamination may originate from animal and human feces, probably through rainwater runoff from the environment in the water bodies. In contrast to this study Paton, A.W. and Paton, J.C. isolated E.coli O157: H7 pathotype from the gastrointestinal tract but not isolated from fish muscle.
In this study, all eight E. coli O157: H7 isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, trimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazole. In another case, all of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin, and cefoxitin. Similarly, Bekele but it is opposite to Magwira et al. (2005) from Botswana reported that the resistance of E. coli O157: H7 does exist to ampicillin. For tetracycline 12.5%, 50% and 37.5% were resistant, intermediate and susceptible respectively. Various authors reported that E. coli O157: H7 is resistant to tetracycline 41; 39; 42, which is similar to the results of this study. But in Dire Dawa, Mohammed [43] reported that E. coli O157: H7 was susceptible to tetracycline. The isolates were 37.5% resistant 12.5%, intermediate and 50% susceptible for streptomycin this result almost similar to Beyi. For doxycycline 62.5%, 25% and 12.5% were susceptible, intermediate and resistant respectively.
Resistance in E. coli readily develops either through mutation, which is often the case for fluoroquinolone resistance or by the acquisition of mobile genetic elements, which has been the case for broad-spectrum penicillins (e.g. ampicillin or amoxicillin) and resistance to third-generation cephalosporin. Resistance to third-generation cephalosporin is mainly conferred by enzymes known as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase; these enzymes destroy many beta-lactam antibacterial drugs. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase is transmissible between bacteria and even between bacterial species. Because E. coli strains that have extended-spectrum beta-lactamase are generally resistant to several other antibacterial drugs. Carbapenems usually remain the only available treatment option for severe infections.
The transfer of resistant bacteria between aquatic animals and human through food production line has been documented and it has a significant effect to treat public health [46]. World organization for animal health (OIA) aquatic animal health code recommends the continuous monitoring and surveillance of anti-microbial resistant in microorganism associated with aquatic animal. Generally, the contamination of fish with pathogenic E.coli O157: H7 probably occurs from the environment during harvesting and production process of fish.
Conclusion and Recommendation
One of the most significant foodborne pathogens increased attention with public health in recent years is E.coli the pathogenic strain O157: H7. In this study isolation of E.coli O157: H7 in three species of fish namely Nile tilapia, Catfish, and Golden fish from muscle and skin were conducted. Eight E.coli O157: H7 has been isolated from the skin and muscle of three species of fish. The presence of E.coli O157: H7 in fish is an indication of the contamination of water bodies with animal and human feces. The contamination of fish muscle with pathogenic E.coli O157: H7 probably occurs during harvesting and production process of fish. Without selection uses of antibiotics to treat bacterial infection in both human and animal promote the development of drug-resistant bacteria. It is difficult to treat drug-resistant bacteria with common antibiotics. There is a shortage of information and research about isolation and identification of E.coli O157: H7 from fish both in Ethiopia and in the world.
Therefore based on the above conclusive remarks, the following recommendations are forwarded:
- The fisherman around Lake Hawassa needs to be educated about the risk of food born disease sanitary and hygienic method of fish handling.
- The hygienic condition of the lake should be improved by controlling the flood that entre into the lake during a rainy time and controlling the waste disposal of restaurant and hotels around the lake.
- There should be regular antibiotics sensitivity testing to E.coli O157: H7 to select effective antibiotics and also help to reduce the problem of drug resistance development towards commonly used antibiotics.
- Further study should be conducted to establish the stage at which contamination occurs so that corrective measure can be measure.
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