ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIA FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES IN POULTRY FARMS

ABSTRACT

The presence of pathogenic microorganisms in poultry farms has been an issue to poultry farmers and has caused product loss, disease and death of poultry birds. The current situation of antibiotic resistance of most bacterial pathogens has been a threat to the poultry and the general public health. This study was aimed at isolating and identifying bacteria from different sources in farms located in Ugbowo, Benin City. Bacterial enumeration and isolation was carried out using pour plate method on nutrient agar. Cultural, morphological and biochemical characterization were employed in identifying the bacteria isolated. The antibiogram of bacteria isolated was carried out using the disk diffusion method. The total bacterial counts of all samples ranged from 1.95±0.25 (nose) to 2.88±0.12 x 10 cfu/cm2 (faeces). The bacteria isolated from the samples include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., Micrococcus sp. and Salmonella sp. The frequency of occurrence of the isolates revealed that Escherichia coli had the lowest frequency (4.60%) while Micrococcus sp. had the highest frequency (31.80%) of occurrence mainly from the faeces sample. The susceptibility pattern revealed that all bacteria isolated were susceptible to most antibiotics used and resistant to ciprofloxacin. The presence of these bacteria may be of serious health concern as these organisms are involved in infection of both humans and birds. For this reason, hygienic measures should be taken in rearing, processing and handling of poultry equipment and birds. Further studies are needed to know the extent of distribution of these organisms in poultry farms in Nigeria.