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Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strains Recovered from Selected Aquatic Resources in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and Its Significance to Public Health

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  • Kingsley Ehi Ebomah

    (SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa
    Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa)

  • Martins Ajibade Adefisoye

    (SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa
    Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa)

  • Anthony Ifeanyi Okoh

    (SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa
    Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa)

Abstract

The prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms, as well as the proliferation of antimicrobial resistance, pose a significant threat to public health. However, the magnitude of the impact of aquatic environs concerning the advent and propagation of resistance genes remains vague. Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) are widespread and encompass a variety of strains, ranging from non-pathogenic to highly pathogenic. This study reports on the incidence and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of E. coli isolates recovered from the Nahoon beach and its canal waters in South Africa. A total of 73 out of 107 (68.2%) Polymerase chain reaction confirmed E. coli isolates were found to be affirmative for at least one virulence factor. These comprised of enteropathogenic E. coli 11 (10.3%), enteroinvasive E. coli 14 (13.1%), and neonatal meningitis E. coli 48 (44.9%). The phenotypic antibiogram profiles of the confirmed isolates revealed that all 73 (100%) were resistant to ampicillin, whereas 67 (91.8%) of the pathotypes were resistant to amikacin, gentamicin, and ceftazidime. About 61 (83.6%) and 51 (69.9%) were resistant to tetracycline and ciprofloxacin, respectively, and about 21.9% (16) demonstrated multiple instances of antibiotic resistance, with 100% exhibiting resistance to eight antibiotics. The conclusion from our findings is that the Nahoon beach and its canal waters are reservoirs of potentially virulent and antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains, which thus constitute a potent public health risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Kingsley Ehi Ebomah & Martins Ajibade Adefisoye & Anthony Ifeanyi Okoh, 2018. "Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strains Recovered from Selected Aquatic Resources in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and Its Significance to Public Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-10, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:7:p:1506-:d:158342
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anthony I. Okoh & Thulani Sibanda & Siyabulela S. Gusha, 2010. "Inadequately Treated Wastewater as a Source of Human Enteric Viruses in the Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Gro S. Johannessen & Aina C. Wennberg & Ingrid Nesheim & Ingun Tryland, 2015. "Diverse Land Use and the Impact on (Irrigation) Water Quality and Need for Measures — A Case Study of a Norwegian River," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-23, June.
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    1. Pamela Borja-Serrano & Valeria Ochoa-Herrera & Laurence Maurice & Gabriela Morales & Cristian Quilumbaqui & Eduardo Tejera & António Machado, 2020. "Determination of the Microbial and Chemical Loads in Rivers from the Quito Capital Province of Ecuador (Pichincha)—A Preliminary Analysis of Microbial and Chemical Quality of the Main Rivers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-26, July.
    2. Ashok J. Tamhankar & Cecilia Stålsby Lundborg, 2019. "Antimicrobials and Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment and Its Remediation: A Global One Health Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-7, November.
    3. Zuhura I. Kimera & Fauster X. Mgaya & Stephen E. Mshana & Esron D. Karimuribo & Mecky I. N. Matee, 2021. "Occurrence of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) Producers, Quinolone and Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Isolated from Environmental Samples along Msimbazi River Basin Ecosystem in Tanza," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-13, August.

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