Isolation and Prevalence of Aeromonas hydrophila in Domestic Water Sources in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Background of the Study: Aeromonas hydrophila are gram negative bacilli. They are mostly found in aquatic environments like fresh water, lakes, wastewater, mud water and even drinking water. Aeromonas species are considered as opportunistic waterborne pathogens responsible for acute gastroenteritis and wound infections in humans. Objective: To isolate and confirm Aeromonas hydrophila from frequently consumed domestic water. Methodology: 50 samples of different water that are frequently consumed domestically were randomly collected from three different areas of Enugu metropolis namely University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Kenyatta and College road (10 each comprising 5 tank water and 5 well water). Four different brands of sachet water were also used whereby 5 samples were collected from each of them. These samples were cultured on macconkey agar and 1% ampicillin blood agar according to standard microbiological methods. This organism was identified and confirmed by gram reaction and oxidase test respectively. Results: Results obtained showed that out of the 50 water samples analyzed 12 (12.1%) showed a prevalence of Aeromonas hydrophila. Out of the bacteria genera isolated, Escherichia coli ranked highest with a total prevalence of 18 (18.2%) while Citrobacter species was the least isolated with a prevalence of 2 (2%). Statistics: The student t-test used for the statistical analysis showed that there was no statistical significance between Aeromonas hydrophila and the other bacteria isolated, p=5.815 hence p>0.05. Conclusion: Aeromonas hydrophila presently exists with other coliforms in frequently consumed water.