Abstract
A total of 34 isolates of bacteria, 20 Staphylococus aureus and 14 Clostridium perfringensfrom leachate samples, were investigated for virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. Majority (>70%) of the isolates produced enterotoxins. Many of the S. aureus isolates tested positive for deoxyribonuclease, haemolysins and slime production. Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) was the predominant enterotoxin produced by the S. aureus. None of the S. aureus was resistant to ciprofloxacin, novobiocin and vancomycin. Six isolates were resistant to methicillin and majority of them were resistant to penicillin, ampicillin and bacitracin. Eleven (78.6%) of the C. perfringens isolates produced enterotoxin and were also beta haemolytic. Except for one strain each of C. perfringens which were resistant to penicillin and ampicillin-sulbaltam respectively, all others were susceptible to the antibiotics tested. The presence of several of the virulence traits investigated and resistance to commonly used antibiotics in many of the S. aureus and C. perfringenstested raises concern about their dissemination through leachate to the environment. The accumulation of leachate and possible contamination of surface and groundwater sources also points out its potential risk for public health. There is need for some measures to properly manage waste and consequently reduce surface and groundwater contamination through leachate percolation. Key words: Virulence factor, landfill leachate, antibiotic resistance, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, health impact.
Highlights
Microbial analysis of landfill leachates revealed that they contain large number of pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria
Resistance to penicillin was 85% followed by ampicillin, tetracycline, bacitracin, gentamicin, methicillin and erythromycin in that order
Results of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) show that two isolates, one each, were resistant to penicillin and ampicillin-sulbactam respectively
Summary
Microbial analysis of landfill leachates revealed that they contain large number of pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria. In a preliminary study involving the ecotoxicological assessment and microbial characterization of leachate from municipal solid waste landfill in Ibadan, Nigeria, Oshode et al (2008) reported the isolation of potentially pathogenic and toxin-producing microorganisms. Since the risk of transmission of these potential pathogens is high because these is no known containment or treatment system for the leachate generated, it is necessary to evaluate the virulence factors and the antibiotic resistance traits of the isolated species. The detection of toxin production is useful in determining the significance of isolates. This is because the presence of virulence factors, enterotoxins, reinforces the role of some of these isolates as effective agents of food-borne illness. The presence of antibiotic resistant genes in these organisms
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