Publication: Analysis of waterborne enteric bacteria in Thiba river of Kirinyaga County and their seasonal variation.
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2016-10
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
Water is essential requirement for life and survival for all life forms. However, water
pollution and interference with and of ecosystems is on the rise universally. Pollution of
water sources with microbes, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, as well as fungi, has
been on increase in the recent past. The major source of microbes in water is faecal
contamination. Thiba River is facing serious water pollution due to discharge of
industrial, commercial and domestic waste. Consumers downstream however, pump and
use raw water from this river for cooking, drinking and irrigation without information of
health implication it would pose to them. This study aimed at analysing waterborne
enteric pathogens in the water of Thiba River and their seasonal variations. Water
samples were collected from Thiba River located in Kirinyaga County. A purposive
convenient study design was used. Standard method of isolation of bacteria was
performed. Characterization and identification of the isolates was performed by
morphological and biochemical methods. The enumeration of enteric bacteria revealed
that the number of faecal coliform (E. coli) in water was higher than standard set by
World Health Organization. The number of faecal coliform (E. coli) was varying in
different seasons and at different stages of the river. The health impact of that unsafe
drinking water could be the prevalence of diarrhoea in the population. Such water with
a high number of total and faecal coliform could be the potential sources of waterborne
enteric pathogens. Bacteria belonging to eight genera were isolated and identified as
follows; Escherichia sp, Salmonella sp, Klebsiella sp, Proteus sp, Enterobacter sp,
Erwinia sp, Serratia sp, Citrobacter sp and Vibrio sp. The frequency of isolation of the
organisms identified varied as follows; E. coli sp (38%), Salmonella sp (19%),
Klebsiella sp (9%), Proteus sp (9%), Enterobacter sp (7%), Erwinia sp (6%), Serratia
sp (4%), Shigella (4%), Citrobacter sp (3%) and Vibrio sp (1%). The microbial counts
were statistically significantly higher in the rainy season (f=690.983; P<0.0001) than
the dry season (f=74.690; P<0.0001). This study has established and identified several
waterborne enteric pathogens in Thiba River and recommends that strict measures to be
taken to prevent water contamination in this river.
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enteric bacteria, Kirinyaga county, river Thiba