Emerging Concerns: Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance in <i>Aeromonas</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Retail Fish from Ganges Delta's Diamond Harbour Region

Abstract

The study investigated the prevalence of Aeromonas spp. and Escherichia coli, pathogens associated with diseases in both fish and humans, within retail market Labeo rohita and L. catla samples obtained from the Diamond Harbour region of the Ganges delta. The primary focus was to assess the potential risks posed by these bacteria in terms of antibiotic resistance. A total of 46 presumptive Aeromonas and 29 nos of E. coli strains were successfully isolated from the sampled retail market carps. Among the isolated aeromonads, A. sobriae (15) and A. hydrophila (13) were dominant. The study revealed that 70 strains, comprising 42 aeromonads and 28 Escherichia coli, exhibited multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR). Notably, a significantly higher percentage of MAR was observed in bacterial strains isolated during the monsoon season. Analysis of the antibiotic resistance profiles demonstrated a total of 43 distinct profiles among the isolated strains. The contamination of farmed carps, particularly with enteric bacteria such as Escherichia coli, emerged as a significant concern for consumers in retail markets. The high frequency of multiple antibiotic-resistant aeromonads and Escherichia coli in retail carps, coupled with their potential dissemination through the food chain, poses serious threats to consumer health. Importantly, this report is likely the inaugural documentation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquacultured fish in the Diamond Harbour region of West Bengal. Given its proximity to the Ganges delta, there is a pressing need for ongoing and systematic documentation to address and mitigate these emerging health risks.