Occurrence of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella spp. in environmental samples

Abstract

The present study was undertaken for the isolation and identification of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella spp. from environmental samples. A total of 120 soil and 120 water samples were collected from ponds and rivers in Thrissur. The samples were subjected to conventional culture techniques and K. pneumoniae and Salmonella spp. isolates were detected in 57.50 and 14.58 per cent samples, respectively.There were no significant differences between the occurrence of K. pneumoniae and Salmonella spp. in different soil and water samples, (p≥0.05). The isolates were subjected to molecular confirmation targeting rpoB gene for K. pneumoniae and invA gene for Salmonella spp. Out of the 138 K. pneumoniae and 35 Salmonella spp. isolates analysed, 86.96 and 97.14 per cent isolates were found positive on PCR. The results of the study revealed that environment acts as an important reservoir of K. pneumoniae and Salmonella spp.