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ABSTRACT
Slaughterhouses are critical component of the livestock and meat processing industry. However, the activities and processes in these facilities could often be a source of pollution when waste products are not properly managed. The aim of this study was to assess the physiochemical parameters, and evaluate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Vibrio parahaemolyticusin slaughterhouse water at Ikpoba Slope, Benin City. A total of 15 water samples were collected from different points. The samples were analysed using established physicochemical, cultural and biochemical analytical protocols. The antimicrobial susceptibility of V. parahaemolyticus was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The physicochemical parameters observed were pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and salinity. The results showed that the pH of the water samples range from 4.11 - 6.63, the temperature ranged from 25.9 - 25.9 0C, the EC range from 87 - 1177 µS/cm, the TDS range from 43 – 582 mg/L, and the salinity level range from 0 - 0.05%. The resistance profile of V. parahaemolyticus was piperacillin [5/5 (100%)], kanamycin [0/5 (0%)], ceftazidime [3/5 (60%)], tetracycline [1/5 (20%)] and meropenem [1/5 (20%)]. The multiple antibiotics resistance (MAR) index of V. parahaemolyticus in this study ranged from 0.80 – 0.20. These results suggest that the water quality at Ikpoba slope abattoir is suboptimal, and the presence and antimicrobial resistance associated with V. parahaemolyticus is a concern, as this antibiotic is commonly used to treat foodborne infections. Hence, effluents from these abattoirs should be properly treated before releasing them to the environment.
