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Background: The rapid expansion of the aquaculture industry, particularly shrimp farming in developing Asian countries, has resulted in increased antibiotic usage. This indiscriminate use raises concerns about the selection of bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics, potentially leading to environmental dissemination and posing risks to public health. This study investigates the occurrence and characteristics of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in shrimp from South India, highlighting the potential risks to public health. Methods: Shrimp samples were collected from the Vettar estuary, Nagapattinam, and subjected to the isolation and identification of pathogenic bacteria. Antibiotic resistance assays were conducted using the disk diffusion method, and biofilm formation abilities were assessed through the crystal violet method. Results: The study identified eight bacterial species across shrimp samples, with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp., and Vibrio spp. present in all samples. Notably, the contamination levels varied across different shrimp species. Antibiotic resistance assays revealed a concerningly high level of resistance across multiple antibiotics, including those critically important for human medicine. Furthermore, several isolates demonstrated significant biofilm formation capabilities, suggesting an enhanced potential for persistence and resistance dissemination. Conclusion: This study highlights the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant and biofilm-forming bacteria in shrimp from South India, emphasizing the urgent need for strict antibiotic controls in aquaculture to safeguard public health and ensure industry sustainability.
Ramachandran et al. (Tue,) studied this question.