Occurrence of coliforms and biofilm-forming bacteria in raw, treated, and distributed water from two waterwork systems in Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria.

This study assessed the bacteriological quality of raw, treated, and distributed water from Ede-Erinle and Opa reservoirs in Osun State, Nigeria. This was to determine the potability of water from these waterwork stations. Eighteen sampling points were established across the two reservoir networks for this study. Samples were collected bi-monthly for two annual cycles. Serial dilution and pour plate methods were employed for the enumeration of bacterial load. Total heterotrophic bacteria count (THBC) and total coliform bacteria count (TCBC) were enumerated on nutrient and MacConkey agar at 37 °C, respectively. Bacterial isolates were characterized using biochemical identification methods with reference to Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. Bacterial isolates and biofilm formation were further identified molecularly through the PCR method using specific universal primers. Mean values of THBC and TCBC in distributed water from Ede-Erinle (9.61 × 104 ± 1.50 × 104 CFU/mL; 69.56 ± 26.81 CFU/mL) and Opa waterworks (9.58 × 104 ± 2.55 × 104 CFU/mL; 142.94 ± 44.41 CFU/mL) exceeded permissible limits for drinking water. Paenibacillus lautus, Bacillus pseudomycoides, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Pseudomonas stutzeri showed biofilm-forming capacity. The study concluded that the presence of coliforms and biofilm-forming bacteria in distributed water implies that the water is unfit for consumption without further treatment.

Molecular analysis of multidrug-resistant E. coli in pediatric UTIs: findings from a Nigerian Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to isolate and characterize antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli from urine samples of children at the Mother and Child Hospital in Ondo State, Nigeria, assessing antibiogram profiling and resistance genes. METHODOLOGY: Three hundred urine samples (158 females, 142 males), aged 3-5 years, were collected, transported on ice, and analyzed bacteriologically. E. coli and Gram-negative bacteria were isolated using Eosin Methylene Blue agar and identified through colony morphology and biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined via Kirby Bauer's disc diffusion, and resistance genes were detected using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Of the 300 samples, 40 (13.3%) yielded E. coli with varying antibiotic resistance profiles. The highest resistance was against Amoxicillin-clavulanate (87.5%) followed by Ceftriaxone (80%). Susceptibility was observed to Nitrofurantoin, Erythromycin, and Chloramphenicol. Multiple resistance patterns against 3-4 antibiotic classes were recorded, with 12 distinct patterns observed. Eight isolates harbored blaCTX-M gene, while five carried the aac3-IV gene. CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded a high occurrence of E. coli infection and multiple antibiotic resistance in the region. The presence of resistance genes suggests significant economic and health implications, emphasizing prudent antibiotic use under physician guidance to mitigate multiple antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic-resistant commensal Escherichia coli in faecal droplets from bats and poultry in Nigeria.

The prevalence of antibiotic resistance and plasmid carriage among commensal faecal Escherichia coli isolates of bats, broilers and free-range chickens in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria was studied. A total of 125 E. coli isolates were recovered from the fresh faecal samples of bats, broilers and free-range chickens on eosin methylene blue agar plates and characterised using standard biochemical tests. The susceptibility of the isolates to antibiotics was performed using the disk diffusion method. All isolates developed resistance to antibiotics to varying degrees; resistance to augumentin, amoxicillin and tetracycline was significantly higher (p<0.05), compared to the other antibiotics. The lowest resistance was recorded with ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin in bats and free-range isolates. In general, resistance was higher (p<0.05) in broilers than in free-range isolates, but was comparable in bat isolates (p>0.05) with the exception of ciprofloxacin, pefloxacin gentamicin and ofloxacin. A total of 90% of the bat isolates developed multiple antibiotic resistance with 28 multiple antibiotic resistance patterns. The free-range chicken and broiler isolates displayed 10 and 38 multiple antibiotic resistance patterns, respectively. Resistance was mostly plasmid-mediated with molecular weights ranging between 0.91 kb and 40.42 kb. Antibiotic resistance and plasmid carriage among the commensal E. coli isolates studied was relatively high and may be implicated in zoonotic infections.