Multi-drug Resistant Pseudomonas Species Isolated from the Wastewater of an Abattoir in Ibadan, Nigeria

Introduction: The use of antibiotics for the promotion of animal growth and traditional therapy culminate the development of resistance in pathogenic microorganisms and their posterior transmission to humans through food. The presence of Pseudomonas species in aquatic environments facilitate their dissemination and further exposure to antimicrobial agents through wash down from abattoir may lead to multi-drug resistance, thereby causing serious public health problems.

Aim: This study was designed to determine the occurrence of antibiotic resistant Pseudomonas species in an abattoir wastewater in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: Wastewater samples were collected from the slaughters slab and drainage for 6 weeks between May-June, 2015. Pseudomonas species were isolated using Pseudomonas Centrimide Agar. The isolates were identified using standard microbiological tests. The antibiotic susceptibility test against 10 antibiotics using disc diffusion technique was done. The antibiotics include: Ampicillin, Streptomycin, Chloramphenicol, Amoxicillin/Clavullanate, Ceftriazone, Cloxacillin, Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, Tetracycline and Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.

Results: A total of 85 Pseudomonas species were isolated and were all (100%) resistant to ampicillin. Likewise, all the P. fluorescens and the other Pseudomonas spp. were resistant to ceftriaxone. Meanwhile, 71.8% (P. aeruginosa), 80.0% (P. fluorescens) and 78.9% (other Pseudomonas species) were resistant to Trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole.

Conclusion: The observation from this study is an indication that the wastewater of the studied abattoir could serve as important vehicle for sustenance of multi-drug resistant bacteria in aquatic ecosystem and transmission of multi-drug resistant disease-causing bacteria to humans. Hence, there is a need to ensure adequate treatment of abattoir wastewater to decimating bacteria population especially the potential pathogenic strains before they are eventually released into the environment.