Isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli from water used during live transportation of Pangasius catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Pangasius catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is popular among fish farmers of Bangladesh due to its hardy characteristics, fast growth, and its ability to survive in high densities. Many consumers love to buy this fish, especially as live condition, due to its low market price and delicious fleshy meat. Bacterial outgrowth in transport water is frequent consequence including some enteric groups like Salmonella spp. and E. coli. The study attempted to know the occurrence of Salmonella spp. and E. coli in water used during live transportation of Pangasius catfish in Bangladesh. Water samples were collected from three different Pangasius catfish transportation channels at 2 h interval on-board transportation vehicle. The collected waters were then plated onto SS and EMB agar plates and 15, 20, and 17 suspected isolates were obtained from channel 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The isolates were confirmed through PCR techniques; Salmonella spp. was found only in channel 1 while E. coli were found in all 3 sampling channels under investigation. Among the suspected isolates, 13 isolates were positive for E. coli in channel 1, while 16 in both channel 2 and 3. Among the suspected isolates, 86.54% was E. coli positive, 1.92% was Salmonella positive, and 11.54% isolates were unidentified. The results indicated that the fishes were contaminated with Salmonella spp. and E. coli species either in the culture systems or during handling and live transportation.