Presence of non-fecal coliform bacteria in potable water in tropical Grenada

OBJECTIVE: An investigation into the presence of non-coliform bacteria in potable water in Grenada. DESIGN AND METHODS: Water Samples (444) were collected from 3 university campuses between January 2013 and January 2014 on a weekly basis and quantified utilizing the membrane filtration technique. Positives were streak plated on the Eosin-methylene blue (EMB) and M - Endo agar and confirmed on E. coli (EC) and lactose broths. The pure cultures were with analytical profile index (API 20 E). The organisms which did not produce gas on EC or lactose at 44.5C were considered as non-coliform bacteria. RESULTS: In total, we isolated 20 different gram-negative non-gas producing species, 95 percent belonging to class Gammaprotebacteria and 5 percent belong to the class Flavobacteria. During the analysed period, there were no fecal indicators detected in any of the samples, however gram-negative bacteria were accounted and identified in 15% of samples. The most commonly identified non-coliform organisms were Acinetobacter lwoffii and Cedecea lapagei, both found in 2.29% of samples collected. The most prevalent organisms belonged to Enterobacteriaceae, which represented 8 genera and 15 different species. Most of the species were identified only once. They belonged to the families of Xantomonadaceaea, Moraxellaceaea, and Flavobacteriaceae. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the species were of environmental origin and did not represent a risk for health of non-immune compromised individuals depending of the infectious dose and prevalence. However, high cell counts of Shigella serogroup represented a waterborne pathogen in over 1% of the samples analyzed.

Bugs and beasties

We all need to be alone sometimes, to withdraw into our quiet place, lock the doors, shut off our phones, and be completely, utterly on our own. Which would be great, if it weren't for the fact that for humans, and for almost every other creature on earth, being 'alone' is a biological impossibility. Almost every square inch of our bodies, both inside and out, is teeming with life, from unicellular organisms to tiny creatures just about visible to the naked eye. They congregate, reproduce, eat, live, and die in our hair and on our skin, and populate our every orifice in their hundreds, thousands, millions, and billions.

Clinical isolates of bacteria from domestic cats in Grenada, and their antimicrobial susceptibility

Of a total of 57 consecutive clinical samples from domestic cats in Grenada, 23 were culture positive for aerobic bacteria. Of 25 isolates from these samples, 13 were Gram-negative bacteria, the majority (54%) being Escherichia coli from urinary tract infections and wounds/ abscesses, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Of the 12 Gram-positive isolates, the majority (75%) were staphylococci, originating from various infections. Among the less common isolates were, an Enterobacter cloacae strain associated with otitis externa, an Enterococcus faecalis strain associated with urinary tract infection, and a Streptococcus pneumoniae strain associated with upper respiratory infection. Antimicrobial resistance was least to enrofloxacin, the rate being 5.2%, followed by gentamicin (12%), chloramphenicol (14.2%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (15%), cephalothin (20%), and tetracycline (38.1%). All Gram-negative isolates were susceptible to enrofloxacin, and all Gram-positives to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid.

Bacterial contamination of Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) eggs and sand in nesting chambers at Levera Beach, Grenada, West Indies - a preliminary study

The pilot study determines the potential role of bacterial contamination of egg surfaces at the time of oviposition and in the sand of the nesting chambers in lowering hatchability. A total of 15 species of bacteria were isolated from 20 eggs and 17 sand samples of egg nests, with little overlap in the species spectrum between eggs and sand. The most frequent bacteria found on the egg surface were Pseudomonas spp. followed by Citrobacter spp., Enterobacter cloacae and Morganella morganii, whereas from sand samples most frequent isolates were Bacillus spp. followed by Enterobacter spp. and Pseudomonas spp. All 15 isolated species are considered opportunistic pathogens, and could be potential causes for the reported lower hatchability. These pathogens also constitute a public health risk when eggs are consumed by humans. The majority of isolates showed antibiotic drug resistance, indicating environmental pollution.

Investigation of plants used in Jamaican folk medicine for anti-bacterial activity

We have started a systematic scientific study of folklore medicinal plants currently used as alternative medicine in Jamaican society. In this initial study, extracts of plants widely used by the islanders are studied for antibacterial activity against five common pathogens; Streptococcus group A, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. These studies revealed that 25 percent (approximately) of the plant extracts had antimicrobial activity against at least one of the microbes used. Subsequent to these observations, extracts from Mikania micrantha were examined in detail. This led to the isolation of two sesquiterpenoids, mikanolide and dihydromikanolide, with activity against S. aureus and C. albicans. The results suggest that traditional folk medicine could be used as a guide in our continuing search for new natural products with potential medicinal properties.(Au)

Bacteriological conditions of a Jamaican chicken hatchery

The bacteriological profile of a chicken hatchery in Jamaica was examined. The bacterial numbers in each room of the hatchery and the effect of washing with disinfectant on the bacterial population were determined. A representative number of the bacterial isolates before and after washing the hatchery was identified. The results indicate that, while washing with quaternary ammonium compounds did not affect the Gram-negative bacteria, the number of Gram-positive bacteria was significantly decreased. Bacteria of the genera Pseudomonas, Plesiomonas and Enterobacter were predominant in the post-washing flora. The water used to wash the hatchery was contaminated and therefore a possible source of contamination (AU)

Detection of ruminal bacteria that degrade toxic dihydroxypyridine compounds produced from mimosine

Leucaena leucocephala, a tropical leguminous shrub, contains a toxic amino acid, mimosine. Successful utilization of leucaena as a ruminant forage depends on colonization of the rumen by bacteria that degrade dihydroxypyridines (DHP), which are toxic intermediates in the metabolism of mimosine. Populations in the rumina of animals in some parts of the world, however, do not include bacteria that are able to carry out this degradation. We thus describe tests for the presence of DHP degraders in ruminal populations that are based on degradation (loss) of DHP compounds from culture media. Results obtained with the tests indicate that DHP degraders were not part of microbial populations in the rumina of cattle, sheep, and goats in Iowa, while most rumen samples examined from animals from the Virgin Islands and Haiti contained DHP degraders. These results confirm and extend the findings of others about geographic limits to the distribution of these important ruminal bacteria. (AU)

Bacteriology of sickle cell leg ulcers

The bacteria isolated on aerobic and anaerobic culture were compared in 80 unilateral ulcers in patients with homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease, 62 superficial skin lesions and in 30 diabetic ulcers. In SS disaese the bacterial flora was predominantly aerobic and polymicrobial with Staphylococcus aureus, Psuedomonas aeruginosa and beta haemolytic streptococci being the major isolates. Repeat sampling of 26 ulcers over a period of 23 weeks indicated the persistence of these organisms, either singly or in combination in 21 ulcers.Although a variety of Enterobacteriaceae were recovered no single genus predominated and these organisms did not normally persist on follow up. Simultaneous swabs from bilateral ulcers revealed similar if not identical flora in most cases, indicating good predictive value of a single swab in patients with multiple ulcers. Corynebacterium diphtheriae was recovered from 8 ulcers and 4 of these strains were toxigenic. By contrast the superficial skin lesions grew mainly S. aureus and beta haemolytic streptococci, and the diabetic ulcers yielded a mixed growth of streptococci, Enterobacteriaceae and anaerobes. The recovery of known skin pathogens from most sickle cell leg ulcers, the persistence of these organisms, and the presence of associated lymphadenopathy, indicates that infection may be a significant factor in the pathology of these lesions

Bacteriological aspects of a hatchery and a meat processing plant in Jamaica

In this thesis, the sanitation and bacteriological aspects of a hatchery and a meat processing plant were examined. The levels of bacterial contamination throughout the hatchery were determined. The microflora of each room of the hatchery and the effect of washing on them was examined by identification of 370 bacterial isolates before and after washing. The effectiveness of the quaternary ammonium sanitizer and other cleaning agents used for washing was examined. The microbiological quality of the hatchery's water supply was also investigated. The results indicate that washing and sanitizing did not affect the gram-negative bacteria although gram-positive bacteria were killed. Pseudomonas, Plesiomonas and Enterobacter therefore dominated the post-washing flora. The water supply of the hatchery was found to be contaminated. It is postulated that the high numbers of these bacteria may reduce the efficiency of the hatchery by causing high chick mortality and infertility due to bacterial contamination. Bacteriological conditions of a frankfurter processing operation in one of the meat processing plants were investigated. The sanitary state of the equipment, packages and workers' hands in the processing plant were examined. Bacterial levels of the meat at various stages of processing and the bacterial population in its environments were determined by identification of 350 bacterial isolates. The effect of processing on the bacterial count in frankfurters and the heat resistance of surviving bacteria after cooking were examined. The cooking/smoking operation of frankfurter production was shown to be ineffective because of poor process control. Sanitation at the plant was poor, resulting in an unsafe product which was contaminated with staphylococci and thermoduric, antibiotic-resistant enterococci. It is highly recommended that regular bacteriological checks on the sanitation programme and the finished product should be undertaken to ensure a safe and high quality product (AU)

Aminoglycoside resistance in clinical isolates of gram-negative bacilli at the University Hospital of the West Indies

The pattern of aminoglycoside resistance in clinical isolates of gram-negative bacilli at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica, was studied. The levels of resistance were (1) kanamycin 50.4 percent, (2) gentamicin 6.7 percent, (3) tobramycin 5.9 percent and (4) amikacin 0.6 percent. There was considerable cross-resistance between gentamicin and tobramycin among strains of enterobacteriaceae. Tobramycin, however, was superior to gentamicin against isolates of Pseudomonas. Amikacin was the most active aminoglycoside and was effective against 99.4 percent of all isolates tested. Furthermore, it was effective against isolates resistant to one or more of the other amino-glycosides. Measures to prevent further increase in aminoglycoside resistance, especially in the judicious usage of these valuable agents and strict adherence to the principles of cross-infection control while dealing with patients infected or colonized with resistant strains, are discussed and emphasized (AU)

Preliminary report of a bacteriological survey of Chaguaramas bathing beaches

Report of a bacteriological survey of Chaguaramas bathing areas

Gastroenteritis in London and Jamaica: a clinical and bacteriological study

The flora of both faeces and small bowel lumen was studied in children with gastroenteritis from London, England, and Kingston, Jamaica. Clinical and laboratory differences between these two groups are described. All bacterial groups in the faeces were greatly altered during gastroenteritis and this particularly affected anaerobic organisms. These changes generally reverted rapidly to normal after the illness. The small bowel flora was also altered during gastroenteritis; there was a tendency for a wider range of organisms including anaerobes to be isolated from the children in Jamaica than from those in England (AU)

Nutrient and bacterial contents of infants' bottle feeds

There is indirect evidence that infants' bottle feeds in Jamaica may be overdialuted. Infantile gastroenteritis is frequent and it has been suggested that a casual factor may be the inadequate sterilisation of bottles. The aim of ths study was to determine the nutrient contents of bottle feeds of Kingston infants aged 6-23 months and to assess the extent of bacterial contamination. The feeds analysed were either milk based or porridges. 151 samples were collected from three clinics and analysed for (1) protein, by micro-Kjeldahl method; (2) energy by comb calorimetry and (3) sodium and potassium by flame photometry. 101 samples were analyses for coliform bacterial contamination by use of Oxoid dip slides. The majority of the samples had protein contents which were within the normal range. The total solids and energy contents of the milk feeds were frequently high because of sugar added in preparation but the energy and solid contents of porridges were low. The milk feeds had normal sodium and low potassium concentrations, but porridges had high sodium concentrations due to addition of salt during preparation. 64 percent of the samples were highly contaminated by coliform baceria, although the majority of mothers reported having adequate facilities for proper feed preparation and sterilisation. It could be concluded that most mothers who attend child welfare clinics are preparing milk formulae with the correct protein content but with high energy content, porridges which are too dilute and have too much salt added, and bottle feeds are generally not sterile (Summary)

Antimicrobial resistance in organisms isolated at the University Hospital of the West Indies during 1975

The results of standardized disc-sensitivity testing for common bacterial pathogens isolated from clinical specimens at the University Hospital of the West Indies during 1975 are reported. Antibiotic resistance and multiple resistance is now common, multiple resistance occurring in 54 percent of Gram negative isolates and 37 percent of Gram positives. Seventy-nine per cent isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to penicillin but only 7 percent were resistant to methicilin. Sixty-three per cent of both Gram negative and Gram positive isolates showed resistance to ampicillin but most organisms remained sensitive to cotrimoxazole. Although S. typhi remained fully sensitive to the commonly-used antibiotics, other Salmonellae showed resistance to both ampicillin and chloraphenicol in 52 percent of isolates. Isolates of Shigellae, however, showed surprisingly little antibiotic resistance. Cotrimoxazole remains an effective agent against most of the multiple-resistant organisms except Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is suggested that the restriction of the use of chloramphenicol might preserve its effectiveness for serious infections, such as typhoid fever (AU)