IDENTIFICATION AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERISATION OF Vibrio cholerae IN MTU FISH POND WASTEWATER

Abstract

Rearing of fish especially catfish is very common in many communities in Nigeria and the wastewater from these fish ponds are often discharged into the surrounding drains. Most of these wastewaters contains pathogenic organisms and the presence of these organisms may be an indication of contamination of the fish pond which may be pathogenic to the fishes and humans as well through the consumption of these fishes. Their presence in fish intended for human consumption may constitute a potential danger thus causing diseases. Assessment of the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of wastewater fish ponds stocked with catfish was conducted in MTU. This study was designed to determine the presence of Vibrio cholerae in MTU fish pond wastewater. A total of 12 water samples were collected at the 3 different fishponds in MTU Nigeria. The results of physicochemical properties of the water samples showed the pH, 6.8 – 7.0, Temperature 28.60 c - 28.80 c, Salinity 094ppm - 120ppm, Conductivity (ms/cm) 0.12 - 0.17. Vibrio isolates were obtained on thiosulphate-citrate-bilesalt-sucrose agar with prior enrichment on alkaline peptone water. Presumptive isolates were identified and characterized using both conventional biochemical method and molecular characterization. Vibrio detection was possible using all two primer sets in a multiplexed, PCR strategy, ompW (Vibrio cholera)- 304bp, flaE (Vibrio Parahaemolyticus)- 897bp. Sample 2 was positive for Vibrio cholerae. The result showed that there was no fish pond water sample that was free from Vibrio contamination, an indication that the entire fish pond water samples were contaminated by microorganisms. It can be concluded from this study that there is need to monitor the quality of wastewater from fish ponds before being discharged into the environment since such wastewater harbours potential pathogens.