Evaluation of Pattern of Antibiotics Utilization among Fish Farmers and Detection of Tetracycline, Oxytetracycline and Ceftriaxone Residue in Fish Samples in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Aquaculture uses antibiotics to treat or prevent bacterial infections, however, negative consequences including the emergence and dissemination of resistant pathogenic bacteria are quite concerning. In addition, the persistence of antibiotic residues (ARs) in fish is fast becoming a global health problem. This study assessed the use of antibiotics by fish farmers and the identification of antibiotic residue in fish samples in Lagos West Senatorial District, Lagos State, Nigeria. A well-structured questionnaire was used to conduct a cross-sectional study with 50 fish farmers. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify the amount of antibiotic residues found in fish muscle, liver, and heart samples. 90% of the 50 farmers were men, and the majority (80%) were between the ages of 20 and 50. 35 fish farmers (70%) engaged in intensive fish farming, 10 (20%) engaged in semi-intensive farming, and 5 (10%) engaged in vast fish farming. For the usage of antibiotic/ drug in fish ponds, 45(90%) of fish farmers were affirmative of antibiotics usage. Five (10%) of fish farmers utilized alternative antibiotic products, while 45 (90%) used tetracycline. Fish heart samples from fish farms at Oshodi/Isolo and Alimosho Local Government Areas (LGAs) had total tetracycline residue concentrations (µg/ml) of 0.28 and 0.4, respectively. Total tetracycline residue concentration per weight (µg/g) in fish heart samples was 0.57 for fish farms at Oshodi/Isolo L.G.A. and 0.82 for fish farms at Alimosho L.G.A. Fish farms at Oshodi/Isolo LGAs had muscle and heart samples with ceftriaxone residues (µg/ml) of 2.13 and 2.7, respectively, whereas fish samples from the Ikotun area had muscle and heart residues of 1.69 and 1.92, respectively. Fish farmers in Lagos State's West Senatorial District utilize antibiotics in aquaculture production in an unregulated and unsupervised manner.