Microbiological Surveillance of Salmonella Strains in the Effluents of the Teaching Hospital (CHU) of Yopougon and Cocody, Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

Diarrhoeal diseases are a major public health problem worldwide, with salmonellosis being a leading cause of foodborne illness in humans. Environmental pollution from healthcare activities, particularly from the discharge of hospital effluent into urban sewer systems, poses a significant threat. These effluents can carry microorganisms, antibiotic residues and detergents that contribute to the development and spread of bacterial multiresistance. In Abidjan, the capital of Côte d'Ivoire, hospital wastewater is not treated before being discharged into the sewer system. This untreated wastewater eventually flows into the Ebrié lagoon, a critical water source for many local communities. The dependence of the lagoon's population on these waters raises significant public health concerns, particularly with regard to potential contamination with pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of Salmonella in hospital wastewater to understand the risk of contamination and to inform potential mitigation strategies. A total of 60 wastewater samples were collected: 30 from the teaching hospital (CHU) of Yopougon and 30 from Cocody. Upon analysis, no Salmonella sp strains were detected in any of the samples. However, 28 bacterial strains exhibiting characteristics similar to Salmonella were isolated, suggesting the presence of potentially virulent pathogens. In Yopougon's samples, 14 strains of Proteus mirabilis and 2 strains of Klebsiella sp were identified. In Cocody 's samples, 12 strains of Citrobacter freundii sp were isolated. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring and treating hospital wastewater to prevent the spread of potentially harmful bacteria into the environment.