INCIDENCE OF MULTIDRUG RESISTANT BACTERIA IN SELECTED SACHET WATER SOLD IN MALETE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The proliferation of packaged water in rural communities has been exacerbated by the increasing demand for safe and potable water in areas where access to clean water sources remains a significant challenge. Unfortunately, non- compliance of some sachet water producers to adhere the standards regulations exposes the consumers to potential risks of waterborne diseases. Therefore, this study investigated the susceptibility profile of bacteria isolated from selected sachet water sold in Malete. Ten different brands of sachet water (B1- B10 NAFDAC registered) were randomly purchased from retailers in Moro LGA, Malete, Nigeria to assess their physicochemical, bacteriological quality and their susceptibility to antibiotics. Bacteriological analyses were carried out using membrane filtration technique. Identification of the isolates and susceptibility were done using standard methods. Physicochemical parameters measured included pH (7.01 - 7.50), electrical conductivity (12.3 - 199.3 µs/cm), alkalinity (42.67 - 73.04 mg/L), total dissolved solids (10.0 – 130.0 mg/L), turbidity (0.62 - 1.08 NTU), and hardness (54.36 - 84.22 mg/L).The total bacterial count in CFU/100mL of the sachet water sample ranged from 1.0 x10¹ - 4.7 x10¹, B4 and B1 have the lowest and the highest values respectively. The total coliform counts ranged from the lowest value of 0 CFU /100mL to the highest value of 12.0 ×10¹ CFU/100mL, no coliforms were detected in B2, B4 and B6 while B8 has the highest number of coliforms. Faecal coliforms were not detected in all the samples tested. Twenty two (22) bacterial isolates were identified phenotypically; Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp., Streptococcus spp., Micrococcus spp. and Enterobacter spp. Bacillus spp. had the highest frequency of 7 (33 %) followed by Micrococcus sp. with a frequency of 6 and a percentage frequency of 29 %. Staphylococcus aureus also have a frequency of 4 and a percentage frequency of 19% while Enterobacter sp. and Streptococcus sp had 10 % and 9 % respectively. All the Gram positive bacteria obtained were resistant to amoxicillin and zinnacef and at least one other antibiotic while Enterobacter sp., the only Gram negative was resistant 4 different antibiotics; amoxicillin, augmentin and two others. This finding highlights the need for regular microbiological monitoring so as to ensure public health safety.