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Municipal Wastewater Effluents as a Source of Listerial Pathogens in the Aquatic Milieu of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: A Concern of Public Health Importance

Author

Listed:
  • Emmanuel E.O. Odjadjare

    (Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa)

  • Larry C. Obi

    (Deputy Vice-Chancellor office, Walter Sisulu University, Umthata, South Africa)

  • Anthony I. Okoh

    (Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa)

Abstract

We evaluated the effluent quality of an urban wastewater treatment facility in South Africa and its impact on the receiving watershed for a period of 12 months. The prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of potential Listeria pathogens ( L. ivanovii and L. innocua ) and the physicochemical quality of the treated wastewater effluent was assessed, with a view to ascertain the potential health and environmental hazards of the discharged effluent. Total listerial density varied between 2.9 × 10 0 and 1.2 × 10 5 cfu/mL; free living Listeria species were more prevalent (84%), compared to Listeria species attached to planktons (59–75%). The treated effluent quality fell short of recommended standards for turbidity, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, nitrite, phosphate and Listeria density; while pH, temperature, total dissolved solids and nitrate contents were compliant with target quality limits after treatment. The Listeria isolates (23) were sensitive to three (15%) of the 20 test antibiotics, and showed varying (4.5–91%) levels of resistance to 17 antibiotics. Of seven resistance gene markers assayed, only sulII genes were detected in five (22%) Listeria strains. The study demonstrates a potential negative impact of the wastewater effluent on the receiving environment and suggests a serious public health implication for those who depend on the receiving watershed for drinking and other purposes.

Suggested Citation

  • Emmanuel E.O. Odjadjare & Larry C. Obi & Anthony I. Okoh, 2010. "Municipal Wastewater Effluents as a Source of Listerial Pathogens in the Aquatic Milieu of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: A Concern of Public Health Importance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:7:y:2010:i:5:p:2376-2394:d:8317
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Emmanuel E. Odjadjare & Etinosa O. Igbinosa & Raphael Mordi & Bright Igere & Clara L. Igeleke & Anthony I. Okoh, 2012. "Prevalence of Multiple Antibiotics Resistant (MAR) Pseudomonas Species in the Final Effluents of Three Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facilities in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Liyabona Mpondo & Kingsley Ehi Ebomah & Anthony Ifeanyi Okoh, 2021. "Multidrug-Resistant Listeria Species Shows Abundance in Environmental Waters of a Key District Municipality in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-12, January.

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