The emergence of antibiotic resistance in aquatic ecosystems, especially in fish, poses significant public health risks, especially when these bacteria are transferred to humans through the food chain. This study aimed to investigate antibiotic resistance patterns of bacteria isolated from the gut of fish and assess the antibacterial potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) against multiple drug-resistant (MDR) strains. A total of 100 fish samples from various aquatic environments were analyzed, and the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria was identified. Lactic acid bacteria, primarily Lactobacillus spp., were isolated from fermented food products and tested for antibacterial activity. Results showed a high prevalence of MDR bacteria in the fish gut. Furthermore, LAB exhibited promising antibacterial activity against these resistant strains, suggesting their potential as natural alternatives to antibiotics in controlling fish-associated pathogens.

Antibiotic Resistance, Fish Gut Microbiota, Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

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