Microbiological Assessment Research Articles

Microbiological quality assessment of milk and its fermented derivatives produced in the Sfax region, Tunisia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial quality and safety of milk and its derivatives in the Sfax area, Tunisia. Two hundred and forty samples of ultra-high temperature sterilized milk (UHT) and pasteurized milk, and its derivatives (yoghurt, fermented milk, cheese, and butter), collected from in-dustrial sale sites and traditional small-scale dairy processing units, were microbiologically analysed and the results compared to the European commission (EC, 2004) maximum limits. All the UHT steri-lized milks analysed were free of microbial contamination and packaging-stable. However, pasteurized milk by thermal treatment at 63 °C for 30 min showed that 41 and 13% of samples were contaminated with total microbial count (TMC) and Escherichia coli. In the analysed samples, total and faecal coliform bacteria (TC and FC) counts exceeded the EU limits in 17 and 9% of industrial yoghurts; 85 and 54% of traditional yoghurts, and 57 and 29% of traditional butters, respectively. Furthermore, all studied fermented milks (Lben and Raieb) exceeded the EU coliform limits. Considering the traditional soft cheese made with pasteurized milk, 61% of the analysed samples respected EU limits in TC except one sample contaminated with both of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes detection showed that only one pasteurized milk sample was contaminated by L. mon-ocytogenes, without any Salmonella detection. Traditional producers must implement good manufac-turing practices and hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP) to ensure integral safety and quality of dairy products.

A Study of Resistome in Mexican Chili Powder as a Public Health Risk Factor.

Chili powder is an important condiment around the world. However, according to various reports, the presence of pathogenic microorganisms could present a public health risk factor during its consumption. Therefore, microbiological quality assessment is required to understand key microbial functional traits, such as antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In this study, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and bioinformatics analysis were used to characterize the comprehensive profiles of the bacterial community and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in 15 chili powder samples from different regions of Mexico. The initial bacterial load showed aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMB) ranging between 6 × 103 and 7 × 108 CFU/g, sporulated mesophilic bacteria (SMB) from 4.3 × 103 to 2 × 109 CFU/g, and enterobacteria (En) from <100 to 2.3 × 106 CFU/g. The most representative families in the samples were Bacillaceae and Enterobacteriaceae, in which 18 potential pathogen-associated species were detected. In total, the resistome profile in the chili powder contained 68 unique genes, which conferred antibiotic resistance distributed in 13 different classes. Among the main classes of antibiotic resistance genes with a high abundance in almost all the samples were those related to multidrug, tetracycline, beta-lactam, aminoglycoside, and phenicol resistance. Our findings reveal the utility of mNGS in elucidating microbiological quality in chili powder to reduce the public health risks and the spread of potential pathogens with antibiotic resistance mechanisms.

Benzalkonium chloride disinfectant residues stimulate biofilm formation and increase survival of Vibrio bacterial pathogens.

Vibrio spp. are opportunistic human and animal pathogens found ubiquitously in marine environments. Globally, there is a predicted rise in the prevalence of Vibrio spp. due to increasing ocean temperatures, which carries significant implications for public health and the seafood industry. Consequently, there is an urgent need for enhanced strategies to control Vibrio spp. and prevent contamination, particularly in aquaculture and seafood processing facilities. Presently, these industries employ various disinfectants, including benzalkonium chloride (BAC), as part of their management strategies. While higher concentrations of BAC may be effective against these pathogens, inadequate rinsing post-disinfection could result in residual concentrations of BAC in the surrounding environment. This study aimed to investigate the adaptation and survival of Vibrio spp. exposed to varying concentrations of BAC residues. Results revealed that Vibrio bacteria, when exposed, exhibited a phenotypic adaptation characterized by an increase in biofilm biomass. Importantly, this effect was found to be strain-specific rather than species-specific. Exposure to BAC residues induced physiological changes in Vibrio biofilms, leading to an increase in the number of injured and alive cells within the biofilm. The exact nature of the "injured" bacteria remains unclear, but it is postulated that BAC might heighten the risk of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) bacteria development. These VBNC bacteria pose a significant threat, especially since they cannot be detected using the standard culture-based methods commonly employed for microbiological risk assessment in aquaculture and seafood industries. The undetected presence of VBNC bacteria could result in recurrent contamination events and subsequent disease outbreaks. This study provides evidence regarding the role of c-di-GMP signaling pathways in Vibrio adaptation mechanisms and suggests that c-di-GMP mediated repression is a potential avenue for further research. The findings underscore that the misuse and overuse of BAC may increase the risk of biofilm development and bacterial survival within the seafood processing chain.

Formulation, physicochemical, sensory, bioactive properties, and microbiological safety assessment of aged traditional “bekleu” (Balanites aegyptiaca) wine

The Balanites fruits were used to develop a yellow sparkling indigenous wine, using the musts supplemented with sucrose at 5 % (BaW5), 10 % (BaW10), and 20 % (BaW20). The physicochemical parameters were assessed to monitor the changes during 6-day fermentation; and the physicochemical, sensory, and microbiological properties of the formulated wines were evaluated through 4-week ageing. During fermentation, total soluble solids, specific gravity and pH were negatively correlated to alcohol content (% v/v). Changes in physicochemical properties of aged wines were significant (p<0.05) and the sensory analysis suggested that wine formulated with 20 % sucrose was the best with the highest overall acceptability (7.1) through ageing. Although Coliforms were recovered in aged “bekleu” wine, the safety of samples was found “acceptable”. The mean values of soluble protein, amino acids and ash contents of aged indigenous wines (BaW) ranged from 60.38 to 81.54 mgCasE/100 mL, 23.75 to 41.00 mgAE/100 mL, and 4.38–6.58 %, respectively. Carotenoids (4.04–7.73 mg/100 mL) were only found in aged BaW; and the contents of total polyphenols (92.77–114.02 mgGAE/100 mL), flavonoids (25.73–37.37 mgQE/100 mL) and tannins (11.04–22.35 mgCE/100 mL) in the aged indigenous wines were higher than the aged commercial control wine (CoW). The aged BaW samples recorded the greatest antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP assays). The results above suggest that improving of the microbial quality could help to bonify the fascinating functional potential of aged “bekleu” wine.

Microbiological Assessment of Car Doors and Steering Wheels at Benue State University, Makurdi: Public Health Implications

Microbiological assessments of car surfaces remain a fundamental approach to control hotspots of microbial contamination. This study was aimed at assessing the level microbial contaminations associated with car doors and steering wheel of cars within the faculty of science, Benue state university, Makurdi. A total of forty (40) samples were collected in duplicates. These included twenty duplicate samples from car door handles and twenty duplicate samples from car steering wheels respectively using sterile swab sticks and transported to Charis Research and Diagnostic laboratory for analysis. The samples were analysed using cultural, biochemical and morphological techniques. The results revealed that the heterotrophic bacterial count range from 1.97 x 104 to2.41 x 104 CFU/cm2 while the fungi count range from 1.9 x 103 to 3.7 x 103 CFU/cm2. Staphylococcus spp. had the highest occurrence of 14(70%) and 9(45%), Proteus spp. had an occurrence of 6(30%) and 2(10%) for car door handles and car steering wheels while there was no detection of Salmonella in all the samples assessed. The fungi occurrence rate observed was Aspergillus spp. [7(35%)] for car door handle and 3(15%) for car steering wheel while Rhizopus spp. had a prevalence rate of 4(20%) for car door handle and 1(5%) for car steering wheel. This study affirmed that car surfaces could serve as a reservoir of potential pathogens. Hence, routine disinfection of these surfaces is very important.

Alveolar Echinococcus in a 70-year-old man in Ontario.

Alveolar echinococcus, caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, mimics hepatic malignancy, and carries a mortality rate exceeding 90% in untreated patients. Diagnosis of E. multilocularis infection is established through clinical, radiographic, and microbiological assessments. Currently available laboratory diagnostics in Ontario are fresh tissue microscopy and histopathology. However, genus-specific Echinococcus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) serology as well as confirmatory testing with species-specific serology and E. multilocularis polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be obtained from external reference laboratories. The article presents the first case report of human alveolar echinococcus in Ontario. We outline the multidisciplinary approach of diagnosis as well as surgical and medical management of E. multilocularis infection in a 70-year-old man in Ontario. We describe prior literature of alveolar echinococcus in Canadian settings and highlight its emerging nature with recent human case clusters in the Prairies and reports of E. multilocularis in recent veterinary literature in Ontario. E. multilocularis is an emerging parasitic infection in Canadian settings including Ontario. Clinicians should be aware of the emergence of this invasive infection, especially in those with close contact to canids.

Stability Study Through Water Activity Measurements for Dispensed Powdered Raw Materials.

Holding times for raw materials are relevant since they enable us to understand the allowable time that a raw material can be kept under ideal storage conditions before the start of the manufacturing process without its quality attributes being affected. The quantification of water activity can be used as an indicator of the microbiological, physicochemical, and organoleptic stability of a specimen, since low water activity retards autohydrolysis and microbiological growth. The main purpose of this investigation was to test the stability of powdered raw materials for a maximum holding time of 8 days through water activity measurements. Thus microbiological, physicochemical, and organoleptic measurements were carried out in parallel and simultaneously to experimentally establish a relationship between the status of the water activity of processed raw materials and the microbiological, physicochemical, and organoleptic results. The raw materials were stored for a maximum holding time of 8 days, in accordance with United States Pharmacopeia monographs. For all the raw materials tested, water activity measurements were performed using the dew point chilled-mirror method on days 0, 3, and 8. On days 0 and 8, microbiological, physicochemical, and organoleptic assessments were performed. It was established that under these storage conditions, the processed raw materials exhibited water activity below 0.60 during the entire holding time. However, there were statistically significant differences in water activity levels between days 0, 3, and 8 (ANOVA P < 0.05). Despite observing statistically significant differences between days, the microbiological, physicochemical, and organoleptic features were within specification at those water activity levels below 0.60. Water activity below 0.60 does not allow the growth of microorganisms, and the organoleptic and physicochemical features remain unperturbed. The results indicate that water activity can be used as an indicator of the microbiological load and chemical stability of the raw materials tested. This research provides evidence that corroborates that water activity status may be used as a reliable indicator for the microbiological burden and physicochemical features of pharmaceutical material during stability studies.

An Investigation into the Microbiological Quality of Groundwater in an Industrial Hub in Mid-Hills of Northern India

Frequent water-borne disease outbreaks affecting human health have been reported in district Solan, which is a rapidly industrialing region of Himachal Pradesh, a northern state of India. For ascertaining the cause, microbiological assessment of drinking groundwater sources of the region was undertaken. For this, thermotolerant coliform study and genome typing were undertaken. Multiple tube fermentation technique was employed in selected five sources to detect thermotolerant coliforms during the seasons of monsoon and post-monsoon in the years 2018-19. Thermotolerant coliforms varied in Most Probable Number from 2-34 per 100 ml water indicating contaminated water sources, densities being significantly more in monsoon months (p&lt; 0.05). Four different coliform morphotypes were obtained from all the sources on Eosin Methylene Blue plates. Of these, the only strain, designated as Nalagarh Water Strain (NGW), was recovered from all sources, suggesting its prevalence. Based upon biochemical and morphological attributes, the strain was recognized as Escherichia coli. Conversely, molecular characterization (16S rRNA ribotyping) identified it as Raoultella planticola (GenBank accession No. MK318824). The strain was deposited in a National Culture Collection Centre, National Centre for Microbial Resources, Pune, Maharashtra (India) with deposition accession number MCC 4064 for future utility in public research activities. Microbiological assessment evinced contaminated drinking water sources, probably causing diarrhoeal diseases. 16S rRNA ribotyping assisted in correct identification of the microorganism.

The impact of concomitant infective endocarditis in patients with spondylodiscitis and isolated spinal epidural empyema and the diagnostic accuracy of the modified duke criteria.

The co-occurrence of infective endocarditis (IE) and primary spinal infections (PSI) like spondylodiscitis (SD) and isolated spinal epidural empyema (ISEE) has been reported in up to 30% of cases and represents a life-threatening infection that requires multidisciplinary management to be successful. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the clinical phenotypes of PSI patients with concomitant IE and furthermore to assess the accuracy of the modified Duke criteria in this specific population. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in consecutive SD and ISEE patients treated surgically at our University Spine Center between 2002 and 2022 who have undergone detailed phenotyping comprising demographic, clinical, imaging, laboratory, and microbiologic assessment. Comparisons were performed between PSI patients with IE (PSICIE) and without IE (PSIWIE) to identify essential differences. Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) was the most common causative pathogen in PSICIE group (13 patients, 54.2%) and aortic valve IE was the most common type of IE (12 patients, 50%), followed by mitral valve IE (5 patients, 20.8%). Hepatic cirrhosis (p < 0.011; OR: 4.383; 95% CI: 1.405-13.671), septic embolism (p < 0.005; OR: 4.387; 95% CI: 1.555-12.380), and infection with Streptococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. (p < 0.003; OR: 13.830; 95% CI: 2.454-77.929) were identified as significant independent risk factors for the co-occurrence of IE and PSI in our cohort. The modified Duke criteria demonstrated a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 66.7% for the detection of IE in PSI patients. Pathogens were detected more frequently via blood cultures in the PSICIE group than in the PSIWIE group (PSICIE: 23, 95.8% vs. PSIWIE: 88, 62.4%, p < 0.001). Hepatic cirrhosis (PSICIE: 10, 41.7% vs. PSIWIE: 33, 21.6%, p = 0.042), pleural abscess (PSICIE: 9, 37.5% vs. PSIWIE: 25, 16.3%, p = 0.024), sepsis (PSICIE: 20, 83.3% vs. PSIWIE: 67, 43.8%, p < 0.001), septic embolism (PSICIE: 16/23, 69.6% vs. PSIWIE: 37/134, 27. 6%, p < 0.001) and meningism (PSICIE: 8/23, 34.8% vs. PSIWIE: 21/152, 13.8%, p = 0.030) occurred more frequently in PSICIE than in PSIWIE patients. PSICIE patients received longer intravenous antibiotic therapy (PSICIE: 6 [4-7] w vs. PSIWIE: 4 [2.5-6] w, p < 0.001) and prolonged total antibiotic therapy overall (PSICIE: 11 [7.75-12] w vs. PSIWIE: 8 [6-12] w, p = 0.014). PSICIE patients spent more time in the hospital than PSIWIE (PSICIE: 43.5 [33.5-53.5] days vs. PSIWIE: 31 [22-44] days, p = 0.003). We report distinct clinical, radiological, and microbiological phenotypes in PSICIE and PSIWIE patients and further demonstrate the diagnostic accuracy of the modified Duke criteria in patients with PSI and concomitant IE. In the high-risk population of PSI patients, the modified Duke criteria might benefit from amending pleural abscess, meningism, and sepsis as minor criteria and hepatic cirrhosis as major criterion.

Microbiological quality assessment of treated municipal wastewater effluents for crop irrigation purposes

Massive crop production demands enormous volumes of water for irrigation. Water scarcity has led growers to look for suitable alternative water sources. Treated wastewater for agricultural purposes has been documented; however, high microbial loads pose a high risk to consumers of contaminated produce. This study evaluated the microbiological quality of treated wastewater from three artificial canals belonging to two treated municipal wastewater plants in Sinaloa, Mexico. Fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella were quantified by standard methods in 60 treated wastewater samples. Fecal coliforms and E. coli were quantified from 4.0x102 to 3.9x107 CFU/100 mL and 1.0x102 to 1.0x107 CFU/100 mL, respectively. Salmonella was isolated from 45 samples, with the highest value of 16.14 MPN/L. Most of the examined samples exceeded the national and international microbial limits in water for agricultural purposes. Therefore, treated municipal wastewater from central Sinaloa, Mexico, is unsuitable for agricultural irrigation.

Quality Assessment of Newly Harvested Marine Fish in Retailed Market at Alexandria Province

A total of Sixty random samples of marine fish, including sardine, seabream, and seabass (20 of each), were chosen from the commercially significant species of harvested marine fish from retail markets in Alexandria province for chemical and microbiological assessment. The study revealed that the average values of histamine, Trimethylamine (TMA), and total volatile nitrogen (TVN) in the analyzed samples of sardine, seabream, and seabass were as follows: for sardine, the values were (0.41±0.002, 0.44±0.02, and 0.19±0.01mg/100g); for seabream, the values were (8.53±0.033, 18.03±0.27, and 12.92±0.45 mg/100g); and for seabass, the values were (18.52±0.62, 19.61±0.29, and 17.64±0.13 mg/100g). The average total bacterial count in the analyzed samples of sardine, seabream, and seabass were 17.8×105±2.6×105, 3.2×105±0.61×105, and 1.95×105±0.49×105 Cfu/g, respectively. The Enterobacteriaceae count in the same examined samples were 5.8×104 ± 3.6×104, 3.1×103 ± 0.63×103, and 2.3×103 ± 0.54×103 cfu/g, respectively. Additionally, the mean values of coliforms were 2.2×103 ± 0.51×103, 8.1×102 ± 1.02×102, and 7.4×102 ± 0.8×102 Cfu/g, respectively. E.coli and salmonella were detected in 20 and 10% of examined sardine sample, and both organisms failed to be detected in seabream and seabass, respectively, While Vibrio parahaemolyticus were detected in only one sample of examined sardine, seabream, and seabass with an incidence level (5% of each type). In conclusion, Sardine had the highest level of contamination with pathogenic organisms such as E.coli, V. parahaemolyticus and salmonella, therefore, conduct regular audits and inspections of fish processing facilities, fishing vessels, and storage areas to ensure compliance with hygiene and safety standards.

Effectiveness of ozone in the management of chronic periodontitis: A clinico-microbiological study

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of ozonated water with NSPT compared with scaling and root planing (SRP) alone in treating chronic periodontitis. Settings and Design: The current study is a double-masked, randomized clinical trial. Methods and Material: A total of 30 patients aged 25 to 55 years were divided randomly into two groups having probing pocket depths of ≥ 5 mm. Full mouth SRP were performed in group 1 followed by additional sub-gingival irrigation of ozonated water in group 2. Assessment of plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment levels (CAL) was performed at baseline and six months. Microbiologic assessment with real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for Dialister pneumosintes and Micromonas micros by collecting plaque samples. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were subjected to statistical analysis with IBM SPSS Software version 21. The results were presented under the headings of various parameters considered for this study. Results: The results revealed that there was a reduction in PI, GI, PD, CAL, and microbiologic parameters in both groups following SRP; the results were more significant in group 2 treated by sub-gingival irrigation with ozonated water, when compared with SRP alone in group 1. Also, it was noted that there was a statistically significant reduction of M. micros compared to D. pneumosintes in the ozone-treated group. Conclusions: The Subgingival irrigation of ozonated water in conjunction with SRP has beneficial effects in treating patients with chronic periodontitis.

Wild almond (amygdalus nana l.) Oil physical and chemical indicators, fatty acids and the study of element components

The wild almond (Amygdalus nana L.) seeds from the Nurota district in the Navoi region of the mountains have been used, and the extraction of the seed oil was established using the cold-pressing method. The main physical-chemical indicators of the oil were defined. The composition of the oil, including the induction of the oil and argon plasma emissions, as well as the fatty acid components, were studied using chromatographic and spectrometric methods, and elemental analysis was carried out. The macroelements (Ca, Na, Al, P, K) and micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Mn, Co, Ni) present in the oil composition were determined. Additionally, a microbiological purity assessment and a quantitative analysis of the heavy metals present in the oil content were conducted.

The modern methods development for microbiological water quality assessment in lakes

The functional diversity of free-living aquatic protozoans is discussed with respect to the feeding ecology, life strategies and water quality. Heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) are known as most important grazers of bacteria in many aquatic ecosystems. Recent studies of flagellate feeding processes indicated that there are significant species-specific variability regarding the food uptake and food selection of bacterivorous flagellates. The Choanoflagellida have an essential role in microbial food webs contributing to a process of self-purification of water bodies as well as are used in monitoring systems. We show that diversity and relative abundance of ciliates and other protozoans can be used as indicators of toxic pollution and acidification. Multivariate statistics were used to design “the scale of toxicity” across a gradient of toxicant stress and organic compounds. A new index of periphyton flagellates (IPF) as indicator of the trophic status of a water-body and a simplified index for a sublethal toxicity assessment were developed.

Microbiological Quality Assessment of Mutton in the Saaba District in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Microbiological Quality Assessment of Mutton in the Saaba District in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Microbiological assessment of Suncus murinus bred and managed as laboratory animals.

Suncus murinus is gaining prominence as a laboratory animal; however, there is no generally accepted method for microbiological monitoring. This study aimed to apply non-serological microbiological monitoring of laboratory mice for S. murinus and identify the subdominant species obtained by culture methods for microbial assessment. Culture and PCR were used to test S. murinus for the laboratory mice test panels including 10 bacterial species and orthohantaviruses, all of which were negative. The species that grew sub-dominantly in rectal feces were identified as Aeromonas hydrophila, which is pathogenic to mammals. These results indicate that microbiological monitoring should be used to detect pathogens directly from S. murinus, not from sentinel animals, due to the host-specific microbial environment.

Microbiological Assessment of Various Ready-To-Eat Foods in Cairo, Egypt, and Studying the Possible Antibacterial Effects of Garlic and Cumin Oils as Food Additives

Microbiological Assessment of Various Ready-To-Eat Foods in Cairo, Egypt, and Studying the Possible Antibacterial Effects of Garlic and Cumin Oils as Food Additives

Features of the structure and spatial distribution of microbial communities of river ecosystems of the Amur Basin (Eastern Transbaikalia)

The spatial distribution and structure of microbial communities of river ecosystems in the Amur basin of Eastern Transbaikalia have been studied. The Argun River and its 7 main tributaries have been studied. It was established that the microbial communities of the upper reaches of the rivers under study are formed under the influence of the temperature factor, and are characterized by the total number of bacteria, which in water averages 1.83 × 106 cells/ml, in soil – 2.21 × 109 cells/ml. In the middle reaches of rivers, a stable rheophilic microbial community is formed, the structure and spatial distribution of which depends on the specific hydrological regime of the river and the landscape of the territory. The total number of bacteria in river water here reaches on average 3.03 × 106 cells/ml, in the soil – 2.52 × 109 cells/ml. In the lower reaches, a microbial community with the characteristics of limnosystems is formed, which has a close relationship with water mineralization and is characterized by an average total number of bacteria in water - 3.12 × 106 cells/ml, in soil - 3.06 × 109 cells/ml. Microbiological assessment of water quality showed that the studied rivers belong to pollution classes I - III, and their waters are characterized as oligosaprobic - transitional from β- to α-mesosaprobic.

Clinical and uterine cervix characteristics of women with Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma in genital discharge.

The objective of this study was to assess the clinical and uterine cervix characteristics of patients displaying vaginal discharge with positive results for Mycoplasma sp. and/or Ureaplasma spp. An analytical cross-sectional study involving women aged 18-45 years was conducted. Microbiological assessments included Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma cultures, as well as human papillomavirus hybrid capture using ecto and endocervix swabs. All tests were two-tailed, and significance was set at p<0.05. Among 324 women, Ureaplasma prevalence was 17.9%, and Mycoplasma prevalence was 3.1%. The Ureaplasma-positive group exhibited a higher frequency of urinary tract infections (39.1 vs. 19%, p=0.002) and human papillomavirus (39.7 vs. 12.8%, p≤0.001) compared with controls. The Mycoplasma-positive group showed a higher frequency of non-contraceptive use compared with controls (66.2 vs. 30.0%, p=0.036). Abnormal colposcopic findings were more prevalent in the Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma-positive group than in controls (positive: 65% vs. control: 35%, p=0.001). Pap smear findings did not differ between the groups. Ureaplasma spp. was associated with urinary tract infections and human papillomavirus, while the presence of Mycoplasma sp. was linked to reduced contraceptive use. When analyzing both pathogens together, a higher frequency of abnormal colposcopic findings was observed, with no difference in cytological findings in the positive group.

Microbiological Assessment and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Orogodo River Exposed to Abattoir Effluent in Delta State, Nigeria

The content of abattoir effluent and its receiving water body, Orogodo River in Agbor, Delta State. Total heterotrophic and coliform counts were assessed using standard microbiological techniques. The viable heterotrophic bacteria count for the rainy season ranges from 7.7x105-4.6x104cfu/ml. Total coliform counts 2.6x105 -3.4x104 MPN/ml respectively. A total of 11 bacteria were isolated, antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacteria was determined using the disk diffusion method. Five out of the bacteria isolates were resistant to at least four antibiotics. Out of all the antibiotics used 90 isolates were susceptible to erythromycin, 5% were resistant, also, 85 were susceptible to ofloxacin with 5% resistance and 10% were intermediate. Ampicillin had the highest resistance of 40%. The Molecular identification of multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria was carried out using a 16S rRNA gene sequence. The identified bacteria include Shigella flexneri, Enterobacter hormaechei, Proteus vulgarus, Morganella morganii, and Pseudomonas oryzae. Data were statistically analyzed to determine the level of significance. The microbial population of bacteria isolated was found to be higher in the abattoir wastewater sample 7.7x105 and the point of entry sites 4.0x105 when compared to the downstream and upstream sample stations. The high microbial load and presence of multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the river water is alarming and can lead to public health risks when such water is consumed or used for cleaning meat during processing. There is a need for proper management of abattoir waste, An on-site pretreatment strategy (collection of waste, treatment, processing, anaerobic digestion, and safe disposal) is highly recommended and should be enforced by relevant authority to safeguard the environment and the populace that depend on the Orogodo river water.