Contamination of the Environment by Pathogenic Bacteria in a Livestock Farm in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and diversity of pathogenic bacteria in the environment at a livestock farm in Limpopo Province. Environmental samples were collected from three sampling locations: cattle camp (CC), sheep camp (SHC), and goat camp (GC). Samples were processed and analysed for total bacterial counts in the Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Limpopo, South Africa. Identifications were done with Matrix Assisted Laser Disorption Ionisation Time of Flight Mass Spectometry (MALDI-TOF MS) using the simplified on plate technique. The colony forming unit formula per gram of environmental sample (CFU/g) was used to determine total bacterial counts. High counts were observed in CC and low counts in SHC for both soil and faecal samples. Bacillus species were the most dominant across the sampling locations for soil samples. Bacillus cereus occurred in 36 samples (33%), however, the frequency of isolation dominated in the CC with (44.4%), GC (22.2%) and SHC (13%). Staphylococcus aureus had the least frequency (2.2%) followed by Listeria monocytogenes (4.4%). In faecal samples, the occurrence and level of contamination with bacterial species varied across sampling locations with Escherichia coli dominating in the CC with 20% frequency, and abscent from SHC and GC.

Prevalence and molecular characterization of multidrug‐resistant Escherichia coliO157: H7 from dairy milk in the Peshawar region of Pakistan

“…As raw milk leaves the udders of healthy animals, it generally contains very low levels of microorganisms, but the milk can become contaminated through unhygienic milking conditions, inadequate food safety measures, contaminated equipment, and poor practice of milk handlers (De Buyser, Dufour, Maire, & Lafarge, 2001;Haileselassie, Taddele, Adhana, & Kalayou, 2013). Indeed, E. coli O157: H7 is widely found in dairy milk, and sporadic cases and outbreaks of human diseases caused by E. coli O157: H7 have been related to milk and other dairy products (Chitura, Shai, Ncube, & van Heerden, 2019;Guh et al, 2010). Transmission of E. coli O157: H7 and other pathogenic bacteria through milk consumption is of course minimized by pasteurization and by proper handling and storage.…”