Isolation and Characterization of Antibiotics-resistant Enteric Bacteria from Borehole Waters in PRESCO Campus, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Abstract

Study’s Novelty/Excerpt This study investigates the bacterial contamination of borehole water at Presco campus, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, focusing on the identified bacteria's isolation, characterization, and antibiotic susceptibility. The research is unique in its detailed analysis of the antibiotic resistance patterns of Shigella and Salmonella species, revealing significant resistance to commonly used antibiotics like Trimethoprim-Sulphamethoxazole and Tetracycline, while also identifying effective antibiotics such as Ceftriaxone and Levofloxacin. These findings highlight the public health risks associated with contaminated borehole water and emphasize the need for regular monitoring and appropriate water treatment measures to ensure safe drinking water for the community. Full Abstract Water is essential for life. An adequate, safe, and accessible water supply must be available to all. Hence, this research aimed to isolate and characterize bacteria from borehole water samples located at the Presco campus, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, and test the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the bacteria isolated. Twelve (12) water samples were collected from six (6) locations in duplicates and analyzed using standard microbiological methods. Serial dilutions were performed on the samples and dilutions of 103 were plated using the pour plate method. After the incubation periods, colonies were counted and expressed in CFU/mL, biochemical tests were carried out and the antibiotics susceptibility profiles of the bacteria isolated were evaluated. From the results, the total microbial counts ranged from 1.0 x 104 to 5.9 x 104 CFU/mL, indicating high contamination of the water samples. The morphology and biochemical tests revealed the presence of Shigella species 5 (45.4 %) and Salmonella species 6 (54.6 %). Shigella species were highly resistant to both Trimethoprim-Sulphamethoxazole and Amoxicillin (80 %) and to Tetracycline (100 %) but were susceptible to Ceftriaxone (100 %) and Ciprofloxacin (80 %). On the other hand, Salmonella species showed a resistant pattern of 83.3 % to Tetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, and Ceftriaxone but were susceptible to Levofloxacin (100 %) and Cefepime (83.3 %). This result is of public health importance as these organisms can threaten individuals utilizing these boreholes as the source of drinking water.