Urban fish as sentinels of public health water significant bacteria

ABSTRACT The bacteriological evaluation of the urban fish (Cichlidae) of Lake Pampulha (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) (Cichlidae) was determined at four sites of collection considered with the highest fishing activity. At each site, fish were sampled in triplicate (3 fish), and in total, 24 fish were examined. The samples were found to contain various species of bacteria of family Enterobacteriaceae, Gram-negative non-fermenting (GNNF) bacteria, as well as Aeromonas spp. and Flavobacterium spp. All fish fillets studied were considered of high sanitary risk for consumption. The treatment of fillets with lemon juice, a popular culinary technique employed by the communities, was evaluated for eventual antibacterial property, revealing ineffective. The bacterial taxonomies found, resulting of the high urbanization in the region, including sewage leak or clandestine drainage are of concern. The consumption of the fish of Lake Pampulha may represent a relevant risk to human health in poor communities.