Incidence of Staphylococcus aureus, coliforms and antibiotic-resistant strains of Escherichia coli in rural water supplies in Port Harcourt

The bacteriological quality of some rural water supplies in Port Harcourt was monitored over a 3 month period. The supplies were unsatisfactory as judged by standard plate counts (10³/ml) and the presence of presumptive and faecal coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus. The recovery of potentially pathogenic bacteria (e.g. Pseudomonas aeruginosa ) further substantiated the existence of health hazards. The most frequently isolated coliforms were Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Coliform contamination was greater in well water than in river or stream water samples. An antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that 17.5–27.2% of E. coli strains were resistant to three or more antibiotics. Escherichia coli isolated from well water samples exhibited the greatest degree of multiple resistance. Some strains were resistant to all the six antibiotics tested. The danger of an epidemic of waterborne diseases in the communities as a result of drinking water from these non-potable sources is noted.     

Antibiotic resistance among coliforms and Pseudomonas spp. from bodies of water around Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Samples from municipal waste water, the Bonny River estuary and wells in and around Port Harcourt were examined for bacteriological quality over a 9 month period. A total of 157 Pseudomonas spp., 133 Escherichia coli and 282 other coliforms were isolated and tested for the incidence of resistance to 10 antibiotics. All of the Pseudomonas spp. were resistant to at least one of the antibiotics while 96.2% were resistant to two or more. Most (83.5%) of the E. coli and other coliforms (91.8%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic. All strains were susceptible to gentamicin. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of ampicillin and tetracycline for E. coli ranged from 6.25 to 50 and 6.25 to 12.5 micrograms/ml, respectively. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of ampicillin and tetracycline were 1000 and 25 micrograms/ml for the Pseudomonas strains. The high incidence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is discussed in relation to the widespread use of antibiotics, and possible public health implications.     

Incidence of R factors in coliform, fecal coliform, and Salmonella populations of the Red River in Canada.

Coliforms, fecal coliforms, and Salmonella were isolated from the Red River, Manitoba, Canada, and identified. These organisms were then examined for resistance to 12 antibiotics. Some fecal coliforms were resistant to all 12 antibiotics, and 18% of the Salmonella isolates were resistant to one or more antibiotics. A total of 52.9% of the fecal coliforms resistant to three or more antibiotics were able to transfer single or multiple resistance (R) determinants to the Salmonella recipient, and 40.7% could transfer R determinants to the Escherichia coli recipient. Of the resistant Salmonella, 57% transferred one or two determinants to the Salmonella recipient, and 39% transferred one or two determinants to the E. coli recipient. It was calculated that populations of fecal coliforms containing R factors were as high as 1,400 per 100 ml and that an accidental intake of a few milliliters of water could lead to transient or permanent colonization of the digestive tract. Consideration of data on bacteria with R factors should be made in future water quality deliberations and in discharge regulations.     

Antibiotic resistance among coliforms and Pseudomonas spp. from bodies of water around Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Samples from municipal waste water, the Bonny River estuary and wells in and around Port Harcourt were examined for bacteriological quality over a 9 month period. A total of 157 Pseudomonas spp., 133 Escherichia coli and 282 other coliforms were isolated and tested for the incidence of resistance to 10 antibiotics. All of the Pseudomonas spp. were resistant to at least one of the antibiotics while 96.2% were resistant to two or more. Most (83.5%) of the E. coli and other coliforms (91.8%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic. All strains were susceptible to gentamicin. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of ampicillin and tetracycline for E. coli ranged from 6.25 to 50 and 6.25 to 12.5 μg/ml, respectively. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of ampicillin and tetracycline were 1000 and 25 μg/ml for the Pseudomonas strains. The high incidence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is discussed in relation to the widespread use of antibiotics, and possible public health implications.     

A note on antibiotic resistance in the bacterial flora of raw sewage and sewage-polluted River Tigris in Mosul, Iraq

Polluted water samples collected from the River Tigris in the vicinity of a raw sewage outfall were examined for the incidence of antibiotic resistance among coliform bacteria on three occasions during 1983. Eighty percent or more of the coliform bacteria were resistant to one or more antibiotics. At the same time, raw sewage samples were examined for the incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were selected for sensitivity testing. Collectively, more than 90% of the 480 strains of the three organisms were resistant to one or more antibiotics. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ampicillin for twenty-nine strains including coliforms, E. coli, Klebsiella sp., Serratia sp., Ps. aeruginosa, Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Staph. aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Bacillus sp. from raw sewage and polluted River Tigris water was determined and that for Ps. aeruginosa was 250 micrograms/ml. The high incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in natural waters could be related to the widespread use of antibiotics in this locality.     

Prevalence and antibiotic resistance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> in tropical seafood

Summary The occurrence and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli in tropical seafood was studied. A 3-tube MPN method was used for determining the level of faecal contamination of fresh and processed seafood. Of the 188 samples tested which included finfish, shellfish, water and ice, 155 were positive for the presence of faecal coliforms following incubation at 44.5 °C. However, E. coli was isolated from only 47% of the samples positive for faecal coliforms. The antibiotic resistance of 116 strains isolated from seafood was tested using 14 different antibiotics including ampicillin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, gentamycin, nalidixic acid, streptomycin and vancomycin. Seven strains were resistant to more than five antibiotics of which one was resistant to eight antibiotics. The multiple drug resistant strains harboured plasmids of varying sizes. Antibiotic susceptibility studies revealed that seafood from India contains multiple antibiotic resistant strains of E. coli which may serve as a reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes in the aquatic environment. All the strains used in this study did not harbour any virulence genes commonly associated with pathogenic E. coli, when tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).     

Molecular characterization of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from tap and spring waters in a coastal region in Turkey

A hundred and seventeen antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli strains were isolated from public tap and spring waters which were polluted by fecal coliforms. There were no significant differences between two water sources as to the coliform pollution level (p> 0.05). All E. coli isolates were detected to be resistant to one or more antibiotics tested. Nearly 42% of the isolates showed multiresistant phenotype. Three (2.5%) of these isolates contained class 1 integron. Sequencing analysis of variable regions of the class 1 integrons showed two gene cassette arrays, dfr1-aadA1 and dhfrA17-aadA5. Resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was transferable according to the results of conjugation experiments. The rate of tetracycline resistance was 15%. tet(A)-mediated tetracycline resistance was widespread among tetracycline-resistant E. coli isolates. Genotyping by BOX-polymerase chain reaction (BOX-PCR) showed that some of the strains were epidemiologically related. This is the first report on the prevalence and characterization of class 1 integron-containing E. coli isolates of environmental origin in Turkey.     

A note on antibiotic resistance in the bacterial flora of raw sewage and sewage-polluted River Tigris in Mosul, Iraq

Polluted water samples collected from the River Tigris in the vicinity of a raw sewage outfall were examined for the incidence of antibiotic resistance among coli-form bacteria on three occasions during 1983. Eighty percent or more of the coli-form bacteria were resistant to one or more antibiotics. At the same time, raw sewage samples were examined for the incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and Escherchia coli, Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were selected for sensitivity testing. Collectively, more than 90% of the 480 strains of the three organisms were resistant to one or more antibiotics. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ampicillin for twenty-nine strains including coliforms, E. coli, Klebsiella sp., Serratia sp., Ps. aeruginosa, Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Staph. aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Bacillus sp. from raw sewage and polluted River Tigris water was determined and that for Ps. aeruginosa was 250 μg/ml. The high incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in natural waters could be related to the widespread use of antibiotics in this locality.     

Identification of strains isolated as total and fecal coliforms and comparison of both groups as indicators of fecal pollution in tropical climates

This study was undertaken to better characterize the groups of total coliforms (TC) and fecal coliforms (FC) and to evaluate both groups as indicators of fecal contamination of drinking well water in a tropical climate (The Ivory Coast, West Africa). Isolated colonies obtained as TC or FC on membrane filters were identified using the API-20E system. From the well water samples, 58 golden-green colonies with a metallic sheen isolated on Endo medium (TC) were identified as Escherichia coli (55%), Enterobacter (26%), Klebsiella (14%), Proteus (3%), and Citrobacter (2%). Among 132 colonies isolated on Endo medium as non-TC (not showing the characteristic golden metallic sheen), 10% were identified as E. coli. The 196 blue colonies isolated on M-FC medium at 44.5 degrees C (FC) were identified as E. coli (66%), Klebsiella (12%), Enterobacter (10%), Citrobacter (5%), Salmonella (3%), Serratia (3%), Proteus (2%), and Yersinia (0.5%). Among 24 nonblue colonies on M-FC medium, none were identified as E. coli. Of the colonies isolated from human feces, E. coli represents 92% of the TC and 89% of the FC. Although these results are limited, they tend to confirm the greater specificity of the fecal coliform technique over that of total coliform for the detection of fecal contamination of untreated well water. From the results presented here and the observations of other workers, it is suggested that the use of FC instead of TC should be considered as the method of choice for determining drinking water pollution of untreated groundwater supplies.     

Magnitude of pollution indicator organisms in rural potable water.

A total of 460 water samples were randomly drawn from the potable water supply sources of rural communities in three counties of South Carolina. About 10% of the population, not incorporated in municipalities, was sampled. The samples were tested for total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and fecal streptococci. Significant levels of these pollution indicator organisms were detected in almost all the water supplies. Total coliforms were the most common, and only 7.5% of the water supplies were uncontaminated. E. coli, considered a reliable indicator of recent and dangerous pollution, was observed in 43% of the water supplies. Statistical analyses indicated that the bacterial populations, especially E. coli, were associated with the supply source depth and its distance from the septic tank. Total coliform counts were also weakly correlated to the pH of the water.     

Evaluation of coliforms as indicators of water quality in India.

The total and thermotolerant coliform counts in rural drinking water derived from ground water, piped supplies and surface water are reported for a number of areas in India. To evaluate these counts as indicators of recent faecal contamination the total coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms isolated have been identified. Thermotolerant Escherichia coli formed 11.7% of the total coliforms and 75.1% of the thermotolerant coliforms. Citrobacter sp. (20.4%) and Klebsiella sp. (50.9%) were the other common total coliforms isolated and, among the thermotolerant coliforms, Klebsiella sp. (16.4%) was the only other organism frequently encountered. The total coliform counts were significantly correlated with water temperature. The applicability in tropical areas of standards developed for temperate climates is discussed.     

Magnitude of pollution indicator organisms in rural potable water.

A total of 460 water samples were randomly drawn from the potable water supply sources of rural communities in three counties of South Carolina. About 10% of the population, not incorporated in municipalities, was sampled. The samples were tested for total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and fecal streptococci. Significant levels of these pollution indicator organisms were detected in almost all the water supplies. Total coliforms were the most common, and only 7.5% of the water supplies were uncontaminated. E. coli, considered a reliable indicator of recent and dangerous pollution, was observed in 43% of the water supplies. Statistical analyses indicated that the bacterial populations, especially E. coli, were associated with the supply source depth and its distance from the septic tank. Total coliform counts were also weakly correlated to the pH of the water.     

Antibiotic resistance of bacteria in raw and biologically treated sewage and in groundwater below leaking sewers

More than 750 isolates of faecal coliforms (>200 strains), enterococci (>200 strains) and pseudomonads (>340 strains) from three wastewater treatment plants (WTPs) and from four groundwater wells in the vicinity of leaking sewers were tested for resistance against 14 antibiotics. Most, or at least some, strains of the three bacterial groups, isolated from raw or treated sewage of the three WTPs, were resistant against penicillin G, ampicillin, vancomycin, erythromycin, triple sulfa and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (SXT). Only a few strains of pseudomonads or faecal coliforms were resistant against some of the other tested antibiotics. The antibiotic resistances of pseudomonads, faecal coliforms and enterococci from groundwater varied to a higher extent. In contrast to the faecal coliforms and enterococci, most pseudomonads from all groundwater samples, including those from non-polluted groundwater, were additionally resistant against chloramphenicol and SXT. Pseudomonads from sewage and groundwater had more multiple antibiotic resistances than the faecal coliforms or the enterococci, and many pseudomonads from groundwater were resistant to more antibiotics than those from sewage. The pseudomonads from non-polluted groundwater were the most resistant isolates of all. The few surviving faecal coliforms in groundwater seemed to gain multiple antibiotic resistances, whereas the enterococci lost antibiotic resistances. Pseudomonads, and presumably, other autochthonous soil or groundwater bacteria, such as antibiotic-producing Actinomyces sp., seem to contribute significantly to the gene pool for acquisition of resistances against antibiotics in these environments.     

Fecal pollution in water from storm sewers and adjacent seashores in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

A study on the distribution patterns of enteropathogenic bacteria polluting the shoreline in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, was carried out based on 72 samples obtained from three storm sewers and adjoining beach locations, Praia do Meio (PM), Areia Preta (AP) and Ponta Negra (PN). From each location, 12 water samples were taken and analyzed for fecal coliforms (FC) and Escherichia coli. In AP, two (16.7%) of the seawater samples and five (41.7%) of the storm sewer samples yielded values above 1.1 x 107 FC/100 ml, whereas only one (8.3%) of the samples from PM reached this level. There was no correlation (p > 0.05) between rainfall indices and FC values. A total of 64 E. coli isolates were obtained: 37 from the storm sewer samples and 27 from the seawater samples. Of these isolates, four (O143, two O112ac, and O124) were enteroinvasive and two (O111 and O125) were enteropathogenic. Resistance to antibiotics and to heavy metals was also analyzed. Almost 36% of the E. coli strains isolated were resistant to more than one antibiotic. All strains were resistant to zinc and copper at the highest concentration tested (250 microg/ml), and several (23.4%) were resistant to mercury at 50 microg/ml. Our results agreed with previous reports that antibiotic resistance is commonly associated with heavy-metal resistance in pathogens.     

Bacteriological studies on Iraqi milk products.

Samples from different types of domestic milk products including cheese, kishfa and gaymer were assessed for bacteriological quality over a 4-month period. A total of 400 samples were randomly selected across Mosul city and tested for faecal coliform counts, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). Faecal coliforms were present at levels greater than 10(2) cfu/g in 72.5% and less than 10(2) cfu/g in 27.5% of samples. Of the 430 E. coli strains isolated from the 400 samples of milk products, 138 were serotypes of EPEC. These were found in 81 (40.5%) samples of cheese, 35 (23.8%) of kishfa and 22 (29.7%) of gaymer. During this period, 26 strains of ETEC were also isolated, all of which demonstrated heat-labile or heat-stable toxins. The high proportion of strains of three groups of E. coli showing resistance to antibiotics is discussed in relation to widespread use of antibiotics and the possible public health implication.     

猪源大肠杆菌耐药质粒图谱及耐药性分析

目的:探讨猪大肠杆菌的耐药质粒图谱、耐药性及耐药基因之间的关系。方法:从湖南省株洲、益阳的四个猪场分离出9株大肠杆菌,进行质粒电泳图谱分析、用PCR法检测耐喹诺酮类耐药基因Gyr A、Par C和耐四环素类耐药基因Tet A、Tet B,并采用Kirby-bauer法对这9株大肠杆菌进行药敏(18种抗生素)试验。结果:其中9株大肠杆菌含有三条或者三条以上的质粒条带,且其质粒谱型均不相同;9株大肠杆菌均检测出4种耐药基因Gyr A、Par C、Tet A和Tet B;9株大肠杆菌对所选用的抗生素存在不同程度的耐药性,其中7株大肠杆菌对10种或10种以上的抗生素耐药,最高对13种抗生素耐药,氨苄西林、青霉素、阿莫西林、红霉素的耐药率达100%,对四环素、多西环素的耐药率达到88.9%,而多粘菌素B、阿奇霉素、大观霉素耐药率较低。结论:耐药性与质粒条带数、耐药基因之间并无明显的相关性;猪大肠杆菌呈多重耐药之势,在治疗大肠杆菌病时最好根据药敏实验结果选用合适的抗生素。     

Evaluation of coliforms as indicators of water quality in India

P.W. RAMTEKE, J.W. BHATTACHARJEE, S.P. PATHAK AND N. KALRA. 1992. The total and thermotolerant coliform counts in rural drinking water derived from ground water, piped supplies and surface water are reported for a number of areas in India. To evaluate these counts as indicators of recent faecal contamination the total coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms isolated have been identified. Thermotolerant Escherichia coli formed 11.7% of the total coliforms and 75.1% of the thermotolerant coliforms. Citrobacter sp. (20.4%) and Klebsiella sp. (50.9%) were the other common total coliforms isolated and, among the thermotolerant coliforms, Klebsiella sp. (16.4%) was the only other organism frequently encountered. The total coliform counts were significantly correlated with water temperature. The applicability in tropical areas of standards developed for temperate climates is discussed.     

Effect of UV light disinfection on antibiotic-resistant coliforms in wastewater effluents.

Total coliforms and total coliforms resistant to streptomycin, tetracycline, or chloramphenicol were isolated from filtered activated sludge effluents before and after UV light irradiation. Although the UV irradiation effectively disinfected the wastewater effluent, the percentage of the total surviving coliform population resistant to tetracycline or chloramphenicol was significantly higher than the percentage of the total coliform population resistant to those antibiotics before UV irradiation. This finding was attributed to the mechanism of R-factor-mediated resistance to tetracycline. No significant difference was noted for the percentage of the surviving total coliform population resistant to streptomycin before or after UV irradiation. Multiple drug resistance patterns of 300 total coliform isolates revealed that 82% were resistant to two or more antibiotics. Furthermore, 46% of these isolates were capable of transferring antibiotic resistance to a sensitive strain of Escherichia coli.     

Numerical Taxonomy Analysis of Bacteria Isolated from the Completed 'Most Probable Numbers' Test for Coliform Bacilli

Lactose-fermenting bacteria were isolated from oyster, water and sediment samples tested to determine the Most Probable Number (MPN) of coliforms present. The completed test series was used to enumerate the total number of coliforms. The strains from the completed tests of the MPN analysis were compared with named reference cultures, for which 100 phenotypic characters were recorded and the taxonomic data analysed by methods of numerical taxonomy. The isolates were recovered in 13 phenetic groups, defined at or above the 80% similarity level. Nine phena were identified as Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Chromobacterium violaceum, Citrobacter freundii, Erwinia herbicola, Escherichia coli, Hafnia alvei, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia liquefaciens , and Ser. marcescens. Of these, Ac. calcoaceticus and C. violaceum were isolated exclusively from oyster tissue samples and strains of the other taxa from both water and oyster samples. Some strains of Esch. coli, Er. herbicola, H. alvei and bacteria that were not Enterobacteriaceae were found to lose the ability to ferment lactose, following storage on laboratory media. Identifications from diagnostic keys, rapid identification systems and IMViC patterns were not always in agreement.     

Failure of the most-probable-number technique to detect coliforms in drinking water and raw water supplies.

A procedure was developed to detect false-negative reactions (interference) in the standard most-probable-number (S-MPN) technique for coliform enumeration of untreated surface water and potable water supplies. This modified MPN (M-MPN) procedure allowed a quantitative assessment of the interference with coliform detection in untreated surface water and potable water supplies. Coliform interference was found to occur in the presumptive, confirmed, and completed tests of the S-MPN technique. When coliforms were present, interference with their detection occurred in over 80% of the samples. The inferior nature of the S-MPN was revealed by the 100% increase in the incidence of completed coliform-positive drinking water samples obtained with the M-MPN technique. The M-MPN procedure was also superior to the standard membrane filter technique. Eight different species of coliforms were recovered from false-negative tests, including Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Escherichia coli (in decreasing order of occurrence). The use of standard MPN techniques for monitoring potable water supplies may lead to a false security that the drinking water supply is potable, i.e., free from indicator bacteria.