Received: September 23, 2008.

Accepted: May 12, 2009.

Abstract published online: May 22, 2009.

Full paper published online: May 30, 2009.

OCCURRENCE OF HEAVY METALS AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IN BACTERIA FROM INTERNAL ORGANS OF AMERICAN BULLFROG (Rana catesbeiana) RAISED IN MALAYSIA

Lee SW (1), Najiah M (1, 2), Wendy W (1), Nadirah M (1), Faizah SH (2)

(1) Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Faculty of Agrotechnology and Food Science, University of Malaysia at Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia; (2) Institute of Tropical Aquaculture, University of Malaysia at Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.

ABSTRACT: A total of 40 bacteria have been successfully isolated from internal organs of the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) raised in Malaysia, namely, eight isolates of Aeromonas spp., 21 of Edwardsiella spp., six of Flavobacterium spp. and five of Vibrio spp. In terms of antibiotic susceptibility testing, each isolate was tested against 21 antibiotics, resulting in 482 (57.3%) cases of sensitivity and 61 (7.3%) cases of partial sensitivity. Meanwhile, 297 (35.4%) bacterial isolates were registered as resistant. The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of each bacterial species indicated that bacteria from raised bullfrogs have been exposed to tested antibiotics with results ranging from 0.27 to 0.39. Additionally, high percentages of heavy metal resistance among these isolates were observed, with values ranging from 85.0 to 100.0%. The current results provided us information on bacterial levels of locally farmed bullfrogs exposed to copper, cadmium, chromium as well as 21 types of antibiotics.

KEY WORDS: Rana catesbeiana, antibiogram, heavy metal resistance, multiple antibiotic resistance, Aeromonas spp., Edwardsiella spp., Flavobacterium spp., Vibrio spp.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

FINANCIAL SOURCE: University of Malaysia at Terengganu.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

NAJIAH MUSA, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Faculty of Agrotechnology and Food Science, University of Malaysia at Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia. Phone: +6096683360. Fax: +6096683434. Email: najiah@umt.edu.my.