MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION AND ISOLATION OF VIBRIO SPECIES FROM MOUNTAIN TOP UNIVERSITY RIVER AND THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS LAGOON.

Abstract

Isolation and identification of the causative agent is the initial step towards understanding the nature of a disease in any environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the isolation, identification and molecular characterization of Vibrio species from the water samples in Mountain Top University, Ogun state and University Lagos lagoon, Lagos Nigeria. Vibrio species is the most common species of bacterium associated with water bodies and its aquaculture bacteria are also responsible for acute diarrhea illness in human beings. Consumption of raw sea fish or contaminated seafood is responsible for severe gastroenteritis. Isolates were evaluated for characterization and identification using biochemical tests. The result obtained from the biochemical test confirms that the bacterial isolates belong to the species Vibrio. Vibrio species isolated from water samples were characterized by PCR amplification identified by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence analysis (Molecular-based detection technique). Out of the 20 isolates obtained from the isolation of water samples from Mountain Top University River and the University of Lagos lagoon on TCBS agar, four isolates were positively characterized as Vibrio spp. The results showed that Vibrio species were present but significantly low in Mountain Top University River and the University of Lagos lagoon. This indicates the presence of a potential reservoir in MTU and UNILAG water bodies, and consumption of fishes or contaminated water might cause water borne infection.