Abstract
Safe drinking water is always a challenge in tropical areas. Several out breaks have been reported in the Caribbean Islands in the past year. In response to foreign students experiencing gastro intestinal problems, an investigation was conducted to determine if there is any fecal contamination that could transmit enteric viruses (example Rota virus and Noro virus), or enterotoxigenic E. coli. Water samples were collected from regions around the Island of St. Kitts. Several coliforms were isolated from one particular residential region of the Island called Mattingly Heights. DNA from these isolates was then extracted and tested by PCR to determine whether any toxigenic E. coli was present. None of the isolates was positive for toxigenic E. coli. A possible explanation, for the presence of E. coli, was provided by a local person overseeing, the water reservoir; supplying the region of Mattingly.The fecal contamination observed, was attributed by him to the monkeys inhabiting the trees surrounding the reservoir, although human fecal contamination cannot be ruled out from our studies. Other pathogens such as Giardia are possibly responsible for some of the gastrointestinal problems experienced by the tourists and the foreign students inhabiting the Island. Monitoring for toxigenic E. coli on an annual basis would ensure that serious bloody diarrhea will not affect the people residing or visiting the Island. This study confirms that viral gastroenteritis, referred to as stomach flu, which is common in the region could be a result of fecal contamination of the water supply as confirmed by the presence of nontoxigenic coliforms, which are indicators of fecal contamination.
Highlights
This investigation was conducted to address the concerns regarding the quality of water consumed by the local community and foreign students in residential areas where they reside
None of the isolates of E. coli indicated the presence of E. coli 0157:H7 after a PCR analysis on the DNA extracted performed at the FDA as reported by Cebula et al [3]
These results indicate fecal contamination but the gastroenteritis was of non-bacterial causes due to the non-toxigenic nature of the coliforms and in all likelihood due toviral causes
Summary
This investigation was conducted to address the concerns regarding the quality of water consumed by the local community and foreign students in residential areas where they reside. Such places included Frigate Bay, Mattingly, Trinity Palmetto Point, Saint George and Saint Peter in Basseterre on the island of St. Kitts. The study was conducted to determine the absence or presence of fecal coliforms and E. coli 0157:H7 in household drinking water. The Epidemiology of E. coli 0157:H7 has been conducted in other parts of the world but not in St. Kitts [1]. Contaminated water has been associated with diarrhea related diseases, which stimulated a worldwide interest in the knowledge of drinking water quality
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