Abstract
Enterococci abound in faeces, survive long outside the enteric environment and possess unique ability to acquire and transfer antibiotic resistance. Recent studies have identified Enterococci as a relevant indicator of water quality. The current study focused on the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant forms of Enterococcus species isolated from Awedele spring water in Ekiti State Nigeria. The bacteriological and physicochemical quality of the water samples was also assessed. The mineral content of the adjacent soil samples was also determined. Antibiotic resistance among isolatedEnterococcus species was highest to penicillin as all isolates demonstrated complete resistance to the antibiotics. Prevalence of gentamycin-resistant enterococci was lowest (48%). Mean total bacterial and enterococcus count ranged from 1.8 x 104 to 8.6 x 104 cfu/ml and 1.5 x 105 to 4.0 x 105 cfu/ml respectively. While calling for an improved data capturing system for drinking water surveillance in developing nations, the study highlights the need for continuous efforts aimed at instigating the required hygiene behavioral change among residents of rural settlements in the developing world. Key words: Antibiotic resistance, enterococcus species, spring water.
Highlights
Accessibility and availability of fresh clean water is key to sustainable development and an essential element in health (Adekunle et al, 2004)
All the soil samples showed the presence of four heavy metals namely nickel, arsenic, chromium and lead
Chromium is present as chromite in igneous rocks and to a lesser extent in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, it had been found to be associated with magnesium and nickel in some ultra basic rocks this may explain the high value of nickel concentration (IETEG, 2004)
Summary
Accessibility and availability of fresh clean water is key to sustainable development and an essential element in health (Adekunle et al, 2004). Almost half of the world population is without access to improved sanitation facilities and almost one billion people still lack access to improved drinking-water supplies (Gadgil and Derby, 2003). The bulk of the burden is felt in developing nations where provision of public supply of drinking water is deficient owing partly to the lack of sufficient financial commitment towards existing infrastructure. People in rural settlements often resort to other alternatives as reliable source of water for drinking and to meet other domestic needs. Given the prevalent appalling sanitary conditions in such locations, pollution of these alternative water sources by chemical and biological agents is not uncommon (Oluyege et al, 2009; Adesomoye et al, 2006). Environmental risk assessment studies reveal that the exposure to biological contaminants especially water-borne microbial pathogens needs to be given higher priority in treatment and regulatory programs for domestic water supplies (Crann, 1986, 1988), holistic surveillance programs take into consideration monitoring of the levels of both chemical and biological pollutants in water
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