Frozen Fish as a Source of Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens: A Public Health Perspective

Enteric bacterial pathogens are a significant threat to public health, particularly in developing countries with inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices.This study aimed to characterize enteric bacterial isolates from environmental samples and determine their antibiotic resistance patterns.  Bacterial isolates were obtained from environmental samples and characterized using cultural, morphological, and biochemical tests. Molecular identification was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted using the disc diffusion method.  Four bacterial species were identified: Escherichia coli strains NE1127 and JKHS016 (ECNE11 and ECJ6), Klebsiella pneumoniae strains 2014C06-125 and Kp2092 (KP2 and KPK2). The isolates exhibited varying levels of resistance to antibiotics, including penicillin (PN), streptomycin (S), cephalexin (CEP), sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SXT), augmentin (AU), and ciprofloxacin (CN). The overall prevalence of antibiotic resistance was 60.34%, with 71.43% of isolates exhibiting multidrug resistance. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in resistance patterns among the isolates (p < 0.05).  The study highlights the presence of multidrug-resistant enteric bacteria in the environment, posing a risk to public health. There is a need for regular monitoring of antibiotic resistance patterns and implementation of effective control measures. This study provides valuable data on the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant enteric bacteria in environmental samples, emphasizing the need for judicious use of antibiotics and proper waste management practices