Antibiogram, Genomic and Phylogeny of Stool and Seafood Isolates from Some Cholera-Prone Coastal Communities in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Cholera is a significant public health threat across the globe, especially in coastal regions with poor water supply. This study was carried out to determine the antibiogram, genomic, and phylogeny of stool and seafood isolates from some cholera-prone coastal communities in Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of 400 stool samples and 42 different seafood were aseptically collected and examined using standard microbiology and molecular techniques. An antibiogram of isolates from seafood and stool samples was assayed. Genes for virulence, resistance, and relatedness of bacteria identified were also determined. The isolates from the stool and seafood were examined for susceptibility to some selected antibiotics. The findings showed the prevalence rate of cholera in the communities as follows: 16% in Kaa, 30% in Andoni, 4% in Ogu/Bolo, and 10% in Abua/Odual. The isolates from stool were susceptible to Ciprofloxacin and Gentamycin with a susceptibility rate of 94.12% each while 100% resistance was recorded against Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, 94.12% against Amikacin and 88.24% against Colistin. For the sea foods, the isolates were susceptible to gentamycin and ciprofloxacin with a susceptibility rate of 91.43% and 82.86% respectively. Resistance was also recorded against Colistin (88.57%) and Azithromycin (82.86%). Testing the isolates for the presence of 16SrRNA genes showed that all were positive with 1500 bp 16SrRNA gene band size. TEM, OXA, SHV, and CTX-M resistant genes were detected whereas the virulence genes were TDH and AcrB. The phylogenetic analysis revealed isolates from seafood to be Aeromonas dhakensis, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio azureus, and Providencia rettgeri, while in stool samples they were Enterobacter sichuanensis, Enterobacter hormaechei, Providencia sneebia, and Proteus vulgaris. Providencia stuartii, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were common isolates from both seafood and stool samples. This study has shown that not all reported cases of cholera are caused by Vibrio cholerae. Therefore, attention should be paid to other water-borne bacteria in every outbreak, especially in coastal communities.