Journal of Environmental Biology

Status of the antimicrobial resistance in Vibrio from Penaeus monodon shrimp culture system of Kerala, India

S. Paila^1,2, D. Pillai², E.N. Sumathi¹, V. Sivam¹, J.C. George¹, T.C. Joseph¹, M.M. Prasad³, M.R. Badireddy³ and M. Vaiyapuri¹*       

¹Microbiology Fermentation and Biotechnology Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin-682 029, India

²Department of Aquatic Animal Health Management, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Cochin-682 506, India

³Visakhapatnam Research Centre of CIFT, Visakhapatnam-530 003, India

Received: 23 April 2025                   Revised: 07 September 2025                   Accepted: 16 May 2026

*Corresponding Author Email : murugadascift81@gmail.com                    *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5807-9290

Abstract

Aim: To estimate the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Vibrio associated with Penaeus monodon from shrimp hatcheries and aquaculture farms located in Kerala, India, and further estimate the AMR between Sucrose Fermenting Vibrio (SFV) and Sucrose Non-Fermenting Vibrio (SNFV).

Methodology: Samples (n = 24) from grow-out, stocking ponds and hatcheries were collected and enumerated for total Vibrio, SNFV and SFV. Molecularly confirmed Vibrio sp., (n=115) were taken for antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) by disc diffusion assay and AMR was interpreted. Multiple Drug Resistance (MDR), Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index, Epidemiological cut-offs were also estimated.

Results: The study demonstrated that 64% Vibrio from shrimp culture system showed resistance towards ampicillin, followed by cefoxitin (60%), ciprofloxacin (40%), cefotaxime (20%) and others below 15%. MDR was observed at 10.4%. AMR pattern found among Vibrio 15 types. MAR index above 0.2 was found in stocking pond. Antibiotic resistant determinants bla_tem and tet B for β-lactam and tetracycline resistance were only detected in the study.

Interpretation: Vibrio from aquaculture farms are more susceptible than hatcheries, and also Vibrio present in the environment are more resistant than those found in animals.

Key words: Antimicrobial resistance, Shrimp aquaculture systems, Sucrose non-fermenting Vibrio

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