Investigation of zoonotic disease pathogens (Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Streptococcus iniae) seen in carp farms in the Northern Iraq-Erbil region by molecular methods

The goal of this study was to determine the zoonotic bacteria in carp farms in the Northern Iraq-Erbil region. Carp is the main fish species cultured in Erbil region. The most common zoonotic bacteria generally seen in carp farms are Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Streptococcus iniae. In this stage, it was aimed to determine a regional map of zoonotic disease in carp farms. This determination carries valuable information for management of carp aquaculture and public health.Samples were collected from 25 carp farms in the Northern Iraq-Erbil region. Six carp samples were collected from each carp farm. Head kidney and intestine tissue samples were collected from each carp sample. Then head kidney and intestine tissue samples were pooled separately from each carp farm. Total bacterial DNA had been extracted from the 25 pooled head kidney and 25 intestinal tissue samples. The pathogen Primers were originally designed from 16S RNA gene region. Zoonotic bacteria were scanned in all tissue samples with absent/present analysis by RT-PCR. Furthermore, the capillary gel electrophoresis bands were used for confirmation of amplicon size which was planned during primer designing stage.As a result, thirteen carp farms were positive in the respect to Aeromonas hydrophila, eight carp farms were positive from head kidney and six carp farms were positive from the intestine, only one carp farm was positive from both head kidney and the intestine tissue samples. In the respect to Streptococcus iniae, four carp farms were positive from head kidney and two carp farms were positive from the intestine. Only one carp farm was positive in the respect to Pseudomonas fluorescens from the intestine. Totally, 9 of 25 carp farms were cleared (negative) the zoonotic bacteria.In conclusion, the zoonotic bacteria were high (64 %) in carp farms in the Northern Iraq-Erbil region. Thirteen carp farms in the respect to Aeromonas hydrophila were positive, while only one carp farm was positive in the respect to Pseudomonas fluorescens. Also in the respect to Streptococcus iniae 6 carp farms were positive. Only 9 carp farms from 25 carp farms were negative for zoonotic bacteria (Aer. hydrophila, P. fluorescens, Streptococcus iniae), those carp farms considered as Type A farm. Nine carp farms were positive for Aeromonas hydrophila, and were considered as type B farm. In addition, 3 carp farms were positive for Streptococcus iniae were also considered as Type B farm. While in the case of type C farms there were 4 carp farms, 1 carp farm was from both of Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas fluorescens and there were 3 carp farms from both of Aeromonas hydrophila and Streptococcus iniae.For preventing of zoonotic pathogen contamination to uncontaminated carp farms, an action plan must be applied. According to that plan, the carp farms can be classified as A, B, and C type farms. Type A, 9 carp farms could be classified as not contaminated farms. Those farms might sell fish among themselves and sell to contaminated farms. Type B, 12 carp farms could be classified as a contaminated farm only one zoonotic bacteria. The type B farms might shop with the carp farms carrying the same zoonotic bacteria and buy from uncontaminated farms but may not shop with farms carrying different zoonotic bacteria (9 carp farms B1 were positive in the respect to Aeromonas hydrophila and 3 carp farms B2 were positive in the respect to Streptococcus iniae). Type C, 4 carp farms could be classified as the contaminated farms two zoonotic bacteria. The type C farm may shop with the same zoonotic bacterial contaminated farms and only buy fish from other uncontaminated farms. (One carp farm was positive in the respect to Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas fluorescens C1 and 3 carp farms were positive in the respect to Aeromonas hydrophila and Streptococcus iniae C2). For preventing zoonotic pathogen contamination from farm to farm or from fish to human, best management is obligatory. The carp farm ponds and their water must be kept from human wastes, especially for Aeromonas contamination. The fish transfer among farms and water pollution resources must be monitors regularly to prevent the pathogen contamination of farms. Also, farmers must be informed zoonotic pathogen contamination keeping ways, and their effects on fish and public health