Characterization of antibiogram susceptibility profile of Vibrio species isolated from fresh vegetables

Fresh vegetables water leaf (Talinum traingnlare), pumpkin leaf (Telfairia occidentalis) and scent leaf (Ocinum gratissimum) collected from urban markets in Benin City, Nigeria, were investigated for the presence of Vibrio species using standard microbiological techniques. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles of the isolates against a panel of 13 antibiotics, was carried out according to the method described by The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCCLS). The average vibrios population density in the vegetables ranged from 1.9 × 105 ± 0.04 - 3.7 × 105 ± 0.32 cfu/g; 1.9 × l05 ± 0.04 - 3.6 × 105 ± 0.30 cfu/g and 1.0 × 105 ± 0.07 - 3.7 × 105 ± 0.32 cfu/g for water leaf, pumpkin leaf and scent leaf respectively. The isolates were identified as Vibrio alginolyticus, V. campellii, V. cholerae, V. damsel, V. fischeri, V. harveyi, V. mimicus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. splendidus. The resistance profile of the isolates to the test antibiotics, ranged from 0 to 44%; with rocephin being the most effective antibiotic and ciprofloxacin and augmentin being the least active 
drugs. Although the isolates were sensitive to many of the test antibiotics, the study demonstrated that there is growing resistance among Vibrio species isolated from fresh vegetables to important antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, and augmentin. It is therefore imperative that stakeholders, especially vegetable farmers are enlightened on the need to apply best practices in the growth of fresh vegetables in order to reverse the growing trend of antimicrobial resistance and avert a possible public health disaster.