Analysis of the Prevalence of Bacterial Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Edwardsiella piscicida in Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) from Guangdong, China

Abstract

To gain insights into the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of major bacterial pathogens affecting largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, Guangdong, China, a study was conducted from August 2021 to July 2022. During this period, bacteria were isolated and identified from the internal organs of diseased largemouth bass within the PRD region. The antimicrobial resistance patterns of 11 antibiotics approved for use in aquaculture in China were analyzed in 80 strains of Edwardsiella piscicida using the microbroth dilution method. The results showed that 151 bacterial isolates were obtained from 532 samples, with E. piscicida (17.29%, 92/532), Aeromonas veronii (4.70%, 25/532), and Nocardia seriolae (2.26%, 12/532) being the main pathogens. Notably, E. piscicida accounted for the highest proportion of all isolated bacteria, reaching 60.92% (92/151), and mainly occurred from November to April, accounting for 68.48% (63/92) of the cases. The symptoms in largemouth bass infected with E. piscicida included ascites, enteritis, and hemorrhaging of tissues and organs. The drug sensitivity results showed that the resistance rates of all E. piscicida strains to ciprofloxacin, all sulfonamides, thiamphenicol, florfenicol, enrofloxacin, doxycycline, flumequine, and neomycin were 96.25%, 60–63%, 56.25%, 43.75%, 40%, 32.5%, 16.25%, and 1.25%, respectively. In addition, 76.25% (61/80) of these strains demonstrated resistance to more than two types of antibiotics. Cluster analysis revealed 23 antibiotic types (A–W) among the 80 isolates, which were clustered into two groups. Therefore, tailored antibiotic treatment based on regional antimicrobial resistance patterns is essential for effective disease management. The findings indicate that in the event of an Edwardsiella infection in largemouth bass, neomycin, doxycycline, and flumequine are viable treatment options. Alternatively, one may choose drugs that are effective as determined by clinical drug sensitivity testing.