title: Characterization of bacterial pathogens in rural and urban irrigation water.
abstract: The study aimed to compare the bacteriological quality of an urban and rural irrigation water source. Bacterial counts, characterization, identification and diversity of aerobic bacteria were determined. Escherichia coli isolated from both sites was subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing, virulence gene (Stx1/Stx2 and eae) determination and (GTG)5 Rep-PCR fingerprinting. Low mean monthly counts for aerobic spore formers, anaerobic spore formers and Staphylococcus aureus were noted although occasional spikes were observed. The most prevalent bacterial species at both sites were Bacillus spp., E. coli and Enterobacter spp. In addition, E. coli and Bacillus spp. were most prevalent in winter and summer respectively. Resistance to at least one antibiotic was 84% (rural) and 83% (urban). Highest resistance at both sites was to cephalothin and ampicillin. Prevalence of E. coli possessing at least one virulence gene (Stx1/Stx2 and eae) was 15% (rural) and 42% (urban). All (rural) and 80% (urban) of E. coli possessing virulence genes showed antibiotic resistance. Complete genetic relatedness (100%) was shown by 47% of rural and 67% of urban E. coli isolates. Results from this study show that surface irrigation water sources regardless of geographical location and surrounding land-use practices can be reservoirs of similar bacterial pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, University of Pretoria, Lynwood Road, Pretoria 0002, South Africa E-mail: elna.buys@up.ac.za.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aijuka
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Charimba
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
authors.forename: Celia J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hugo
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, University of Pretoria, Lynwood Road, Pretoria 0002, South Africa E-mail: elna.buys@up.ac.za.
authors.forename: Elna M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Buys
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D058491:Bacterial Load; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D013019:South Africa; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D037521:Virulence Factors; D014873:Water Pollutants