NCTR Research Highlights

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Current Highlight from March 19, 2010

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Food Safety—Antibiotic Resistance in Farm-Raised Catfish

Using molecular techniques, scientists from the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) and the Arkansas Regional Laboratory have characterized virulence genes in 81 strains of Aeromonas veronii isolated from farm-raised catfish. Several of the isolates contained gene sequences (integrons) that confer resistance to multiple antibiotics. Aeromonas spp. are known to cause foodborne illness, and these studies illustrate that farm-raised catfish can serve as reservoirs for multiple virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. Although adequate cooking should eliminate pathogenic bacteria, undercooking, or cross-contamination of utensils during the preparation of catfish, is a concern for spread of sickness and a possible spread of antibiotic resistance. (Food Microbiology, 2010). 

For additional information, please contact Mohamed Nawaz, Ph.D., FDA/NCTR or Carl E. Cerniglia, Ph.D., Division of Microbiology, Director, FDA/NCTR.