DISTRIBUTION AND ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY PATTERNS OF FAECAL BACTERIA FROM UNDERGROUND FAECAL STORAGE CISTERNS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study aimed at investigating the distribution patterns and antibiotic sensitivity profile of bacteria from underground faecal storage cisterns in Ondo State, Nigeria. A total of two hundred and fifty-six (256) human faecal samples were collected using sterile sample bottles from thirty-three (33) underground faecal storage cisterns across 5 major towns (Akungba, Akure, Ondo, Ore, and Owo) in Ondo State, Nigeria. Using pour plate method and molecular techniques, the isolates Escherichia coli (32.04%), Enterobacter aerogenes (14.56%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.62%), Salmonella typhi (11.65%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.77%), Shigella dysenteriae (6.80%), Proteus mirabilis (5.83%), Citrobacter koseri (3.88%), Providentia alcalifaciens (2.91%), and Klepsiella oxytoca (1.94%) were identified. All the isolates were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test using Kirby Bauer diffusion method. Isolates that showed resistance to two or more antibiotics were evaluated for the production of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL). Three (3) selected isolates which showed multiple resistance to more than five (5) antibiotics were examined for the presence of plasmid using sodium dodecyl and agarose gel electrophoresis. The distribution of the bacterial isolates followed the patterns: 16.5% in Ondo, 17.5% in Owo, 20.4% in Akungba, 20.4% in Ore and 25.2% in Akure. The resistance of the isolates to the various antibiotics used varies from 27.18% to Ciprofloxacin, 33.98% to Ofloxacin, 47.57% to Sulphomethazole-Trimethroprim, 56.31% to Streptomycin, 66.99% to Chloramphenicol, 74.76% to Pefloxacin, 75.73% to Sparfloxacin, 75.73% to Gentamycin, 85.44% to Ampicillin, and 95.15% to Augmentin. All the three (3) bacterial isolates analysed for plasmid bearing were positive to the possession of plasmid. Post-plasmid curing antibiotic sensitivity test reveals that the resistance is plasmid mediated. 21 (25%) of the 84 isolates evaluated for the production of ESBL were positive. 20% of Proteus mirabilis, 20% of Salmonella typhi, 21.43% of Enterobacter aerogenes, 25% Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 26.96% Escherichia coli, 33.33% Shigella dysenteriae, 36.36% Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Klebsiella oxytoca were positive to the production of ESBLs. Hence, underground faecal storage cisterns habour plasmid-bearing as well as ESBL-producing antibiotic resistant bacteria.