Tilapia aquaculture as a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic bacteria: evidence from Makassar, Indonesia

Authors

  • M.F. Mursalim Veterinary Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia; Veterinary Paramedic Study Program, Faculty of Vocational Study, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia
  • H.M. Raharjo Division of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, 60115, Indonesia
  • Z.A. Kholilulloh Veterinary Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia; Veterinary Paramedic Study Program, Faculty of Vocational Study, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia
  • H.Y. Azis Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia; Aquaculture and Post-Harvest Fisheries Technology Study Program, Faculty of Vocational Studies,Hasanuddin University, Makassar, 90245, Indonesia
  • M.A. Nurdin Veterinary Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia; Veterinary Paramedic Study Program, Faculty of Vocational Study, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia
  • N. Mar’ah South Sulawesi Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine Center, Makassar, 90245, Indonesia
  • A.P.N. Hartanti Veterinary Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia
  • U. Amalia Veterinary Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia
  • M.J.S. Risal Veterinary Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia
  • M. Mabrok Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
  • S.F. Aljasir Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24425/pjvs.2026.1261

Keywords

antimicrobial resistance, tilapia aquaculture, urban freshwater systems, zoonotic

Abstract

A total of 69 bacterial isolates representing 13 species were recovered from 60 tilapia and 14 water samples. Isolates were identified via phenotypic characterization, biochemical assays and VITEK MS, and antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, followed by calculation of the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index. Dominant taxa included Bacillus cereus (21.7%), Plesiomonas shigelloides (17.4%) and Enterobacter spp. (15.9%), while 11.6% remained unclassified, likely reflecting limitations of the VITEK MS reference database or insufficient spectral matching. Zoonotic species such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter johnsonii were also detected. Species distribution did not differ significantly between fish and water, indicating uniform microbial dissemination. Gram-negative isolates showed higher resistance than Gram-positive isolates, with multidrug resistance, particularly against erythromycin–penicillin combinations, most prevalent in Aeromonas spp. MAR indices ≥ 0.2 suggest possible exposure to environments associated with antimicrobial contamination. While water quality was generally suitable for tilapia, localized hypoxia and acidic pH may promote pathogen persistence. The coexistence of multidrug-resistant and zoonotic bacteria highlights the need for integrated health management and responsible antimicrobial use in urban aquaculture.

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Published

2026-06-15

How to Cite

Mursalim, M.F., et al. “Tilapia Aquaculture As a Reservoir of Antimicrobial Resistance and Zoonotic Bacteria: Evidence from Makassar, Indonesia”. Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences, vol. 29, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 179–189, doi:10.24425/pjvs.2026.1261.

Issue

Vol. 29 No. 2 (2026)

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Article

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