Water quality assessment and plasmid analysis of multiple antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli O157:H7 from well-water sources in Ado-Ekiti metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

This research aimed to assess the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of underground water, and determine the antibiotic susceptibility and presence of plasmids in multiple antibiotic-resistant (MAR) Escherichia coli O157:H7 in underground water sources in Ado-Ekiti. Physicochemical and bacteriological analysis of water samples were carried out using standard methods, an antibiotic susceptibility test was investigated using the standard disc diffusion method and plasmid analysis of MAR isolates was carried out using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The physicochemical parameters analyzed were within WHO recommendations except for pH and potassium while the water samples did not conform to the WHO bacteriological recommendations for drinking water. A total of 272 E. coli were isolated and identified, among which 150 isolates were non-sorbitol fermenters (NSF) and taken as presumptive E. coli O157. MAR to three and more classes of antibiotics used were observed among these NSF with high MAR-Index, >0.2. Plasmid analysis of selected 15 isolates among the MAR NSF showed that their resistance to antibiotics was likely plasmid-mediated as they carry one to two plasmids on them. The study revealed that the water samples from Ado-Ekiti metropolis are unsafe for consumption.

Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Bacteria Isolated from Stream Water in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

“…Increasing climate change and other ecological disturbances such as flooding are all potential sources of pollution (Nevondo and Cloete, 1999;Obi et al, 2002;Mbah et al, 2016). This result corresponds with findings from previous studies on the microbial assessment of drinking-water sources in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria, Ekosodin Community, Benin City, Edo state Nigeria and Abakaliki Metropolis of Ebonyi state Nigeria, where high prevalence of heterotrophic bacteria and coliforms were recorded, many of which exceeded the acceptable water quality limits (Oluyege et al, 2014;Ekhosuehi et al, 2018;Onwa et al, 2019).…”

“…All heterotrophic bacteria and coliforms were isolated from the samples using serial 10-fold serial dilutions and the pour plate method as described by Oluyege (2014) and Babalola et al (2021). Pure cultures were plated on nutrient agar slants and stored at 4°C.…”

Vibrio cholerae O1 and Escherichia coli O157:H7 from drinking water and wastewater in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…The MAR index of isolates from drinking water ranged between 0.2 and 0.7 (Table 4 ). Different multiple antibiotic resistance indices were reported for E. coli O157:H7: 0.2 to 0.7 [ 59 ] and 0.6 to 1.0 [ 60 ].…”