MICROBIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF VIBRIO CHOLERAE FROM CAT FISH SOLD IN CALABAR METROPOLIS

Vibrio cholerae is primarily known for causing cholera; a severe diarrheal disease. While the association between Vibrio cholerae and catfish consumption is not well-documented, and cholera transmission is typically waterborne, there are potential health implications if catfish becomes contaminated with this bacterium, Vibrio cholerae-contaminated catfish is reportedly a significant health challenge especially when consuming raw or undercooked catfish. The assessment of heterotrophic bacteria counts and fecal coliforms present in catfish revealed heterotrophic mean loads ranging from 6.39x102 to 8.01x104 (CFU/ml) with higher loads (8.01x104 CFU/ml) recorded in Atimbo roundabout (AR). Similarly. fecal coliforms ranged from 1.32x 102 to 2.11 102 CFU/ml with higher load recorded in samples obtained from Atimbo roundabout (AR). In this study out of a total of 206 test isolates that were recovered from catfish sold in Calabar metropolis, 21.84% of the test isolates were Vibrio cholerae strains as shown in Figure 1 out of which 37.78% were recovered from Atimbo roundabout, 35.55% from Marian market and 26.67% from watt market. Other Vibrio species such as Vibrio vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus had 6.31% and 22.82% distribution, respectively. Similarly, test isolates such as E. coli and Salmonella spp. had 22.82% and 26.21% distribution, respectively. It recommends that Emphasis should be placed on strict food safety measures, especially when handling and preparing seafood products. There is need to encourage regular monitoring of water quality in aquatic environments, including those used for aquaculture and seafood harvesting.