Prevalence of Pseudomonas sp in Fin Fishes and their Antibiotic Susceptibility

The Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas sp. were enumerated in seven fresh fin fish species and their antibiotic susceptibility to 12 antibiotics assessed. Among the seven fish species, pathogenic Pseudomonas sp. were observed only in 4 species of fish and 5 isolates were confirmed as Pseudomonas sp. through biochemical tests. These five Pseudomonas strains were tested against 12 antibiotics, viz. ampicillin, gentamycin, amoxycillin, tobramycin, cotrimoxazole, cefotaxime, netillin, nalidixic acid, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, amikacin and nitrofurantoin. All the isolated Pseudomonas sp. were resistant to amoxycillin. Intermediate resistance was recorded against ampicillin, ceftazidime and nitrofurantoin. All the isolates were sensitive to 6 of the 12 antibiotics tested, i.e. gentamycin, tobramycin, cefotaxime, netillin, ciprofloxacin and amikacin. Antibiotic susceptibility studies revealed that fresh seafoods from Tuticorin have Pseudomonas contamination and that some strains may have antibiotic-resistant genes.