Title

CONTAMINATION OF Escherichia coli AND Salmonella spp. IN RABBITFISH
(Siganus guttatus) COLLECTED IN MALAUBANG, OZAMIZ CITY

Author(s)

BARONG, RAVEN SHEIN M.

ENGRACIA, TRISIA NICHOLE L.

GODINEZ, TASHA MAE CHARISSE N.

Affiliation

MISAMIS UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Contributor

Hingco, Jonas T. - Adviser

Lao, Karl Maxel O. - Panel

Villantes, Yunalyn L. - Panel

Atty. Awa, Anthony L. - Panel

Year

2025-05

Abstract

Microbial contamination in seafood posed a critical public health concern due to the
potential presence of enteric pathogens. This study aimed to determine the presence and
load of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in rabbitfish and to assess their antibiotic
resistance profiles. A descriptive experimental design was used. Rabbitfish samples were
collected through convenience sampling during the wet season. Microbiological testing
included culture on EMB and SSA, biochemical confirmation, and Gram staining.
Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted via the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method
using five antibiotic classes. Results showed that all five samples were positive for
Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. with counts exceeding 10⁸ to 10¹⁰ CFU/g. Sample 2
had the highest Escherichia coli load (3.61 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g), and Sample 3 had the highest
Salmonella spp. count (2.84 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g). All isolates showed complete resistance to
ampicillin, with variable resistance patterns observed for gentamicin and chloramphenicol.
Ciprofloxacin remained the most effective antibiotic against both pathogens. These
findings suggest notable fecal contamination and the presence of multidrug-resistant
bacteria in rabbitfish from Malaubang. The study emphasized the urgent need for improved
sanitation, antibiotic use regulation, and routine seafood monitoring to reduce foodborne
illness risks.

Keywords

Antimicrobial resistance

Bacterial load

Infectious risk

Foodborne

Sanitation
practices