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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of E. coli in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. A total of 300 samples were collected from three major fish markets. E. coli was isolated and identified based on morphological and biochemical tests using standard bacteriological procedures. Confirmed E. coli isolates were screened for antibiotic susceptibility using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. The zones of inhibition were interpreted in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing protocols. The overall prevalence of E. coli in African catfish was 14.0%. Location-specific prevalences of 12.0%, 14.0%, and 16.0% for the Tashan Bama Market, the Monday Market, and the Custom Market were detected, respectively. Skin samples had a significantly (p = 0.046) lower prevalence compared to intestinal samples. Almost all (97.6%) of the isolates were resistant to at least 2 or more different antibiotic agents, with the highest proportion (38.1%) being resistant to 7 antibiotic agents. Most of the isolates (61.9-92.9%) were resistant to pefloxacin, ampicillin, cefepime, tetracycline, augmentin, streptomycin and nalidixic acid. However, there was notable sensitivity to ofloxacin in several isolates (83.3%). Alarmingly, multidrug resistance was detected in 88.1% of isolates with an average MAR index of 0.62, indicating a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance among isolates recovered. To mitigate public health risk, strict hygienic practices in fish processing and marketing, public education on proper cooking, and the enforcement of rational antibiotic use in aquaculture are strongly recommended.

Keywords

Prevalence Multidrug resistance Antimicrobial Biochemical tests Escherichia coli

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Copyright (c) 2026 Mohammed et al.

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Author Biographies

A. Mohammed, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno Nigeria.

1Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno Nigeria.

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I. Y. Ngoshe, Department of Microbiology Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno Nigeria

Senior Lecturer

Department of Microbiology Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno Nigeria

F. A. Mustapha, National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, Maiduguri Zonal office, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Principal Research Officer

National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, Maiduguri Zonal office, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

B. Goniri, National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, Maiduguri Zonal office, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Senior Research Officer

A. S. Saidu , Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno Nigeria

Senior Lecturer

Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno Nigeria

S. Mohammed, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno Nigeria

Lecturer I

Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno Nigeria

A. I. Adamu, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno Nigeria

Lecturer II

Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno Nigeria

How to Cite
Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli in African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Sold for Human Consumption in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria: A Potential Public Health Concern. (2026). Sahel Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 23(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.54058/ng96s833
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How to Cite

Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli in African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Sold for Human Consumption in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria: A Potential Public Health Concern. (2026). Sahel Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 23(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.54058/ng96s833

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