Helminthiasis and gram negative enteric bacteria in freshwater fish from selected lakes of Haramaya District, Ethiopia

Authors: HIKO, ADEM - Ethiopia Haramaya University; TASISA, KANANI - Ethiopia Haramaya University; Agga, Getahun

Submitted to: Journal of fisheries and Aquaculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/9/2018
Publication Date: 4/25/2018
Citation: Hiko, A., Tasisa, K., Agga, G.E. 2018. Helminthiasis and gram negative enteric bacteria in freshwater fish from selected lakes of Haramaya District, Ethiopia. Journal of fisheries and Aquaculture. 9(2):242. doi: 10.4172/2150-3508.1000242.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4172/2150-3508.1000242

Interpretive Summary: Fish production contributes about 60% of the world's protein supply for human consumption. Fish is a perishable product if not properly handled and stored. Humans can be infected by parasites and bacteria found in the fish during consumption. Fish safety along the farm to table continuum is critically important in maintaining the quality and safety of fish to protect the public health. In this study the presence of parasites and bacteria in the fish and water were surveyed in two lakes in Ethiopia. Up to one-fifth of the examined fish were positive for parasites. Over one-third of the samples from various body parts of fish examined were positive for bacteria of public health importance. Similarly, over one-third of water samples from the lakes were positive for the same bacteria that were detected in the fish. This study indicates the presence of parasites and bacteria of public health in the fish and that maintaining water quality at the lakes, and public education on proper handling of fish are important for fish safety and to protect the public.

Technical Abstract: Microbiological and helminthiasis examination of fish from Tinike and Adelle Lakes were conducted at Haramaya District, Ethiopia. The types of fish available in the lakes were also assessed. Adelle Lake has only Clarias gariepinus while the Tinike Lake has only Oreochromis niloticus fish species. Ten fish of each species, 20 in total, were collected from the lakes and post-mortem examined for the presence of adult helminthiasis in the body parts. Twelve samples from different body parts of each fish, 240 samples in total, and 11 samples of lakes water were aseptically collected and examined for gram-negative enteric bacteria. No adult parasites were observed in fish from Adelle Lake. However, 15% and 20% of the fish from Tinike Lake had cestodes in their intestine, and nematodes in their heart respectively. Of 251 total samples from fish and the lake water, 178 (70.9%) were positive for pathogenic microbial. Except for muscle tissue to which only 5% are positive, 50% and above samples were found positive for some Gram’s-negative bacteria. From total of fish and water sample, 43%, 36.3%, 15.1%, 12.8%, and 1.2% are positive for Proteus, E. coli, Salmonella, Yersinia and Klebsiella respectively in the descending order. Two bacterial genera, Proteus and E. coli (13.6%), Proteus and Yersinia (2%), Proteus and Salmonella (4%), E. coli and Yersinia (2%), E. coli and Salmonella (1.2%), and E .coli and Klebsiella (0.4%) while triplet of genera Proteus, E. coli and Yersinia (6%), Proteus, E. coli and Salmonella (0.8%), and Proteus, E. coli and salmonella (0.4%) were observed. Salmonella spp. was not detected from fish from Lake Adelle compared to the 30% in fish from Lake Tinike (P<0.0001). Proper cooking of fish could destroy those spoilage and public health risk. Observing similar levels of gram-negative enteric bacteria in the fish and water suggesting contaminated water as a source for the fish contamination.