Distribution and antibiogram of bacterial species in effluents from abattoirs in Nigeria

Abstract

Stanley Chukwudozie Onuoha

The study investigated the bacteriological effluent qualities of abattoirs in Abakaliki, Southeast Nigeria between June and September 2015. Wastewater samples were col-lected from two abattoirs, from their point of discharge into surface water bodies with ster-ile sample bottles and transported to the Laboratory for bacteriological analyses. Bacteria species were isolated, characterized, and identified using standard microbiological and biochemical techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility study was carried out using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The result of the total heterotrophic bacteria count obtained from Nkwo–Ezzangbo abattoir ranges from 7.00 × 106 Colony Forming Unit (CFU)/ml to 7.90 × 106 CFU/ml, while that of Abakaliki abattoir ranges from 5.50 × 106 CFU/ml to 6.95 × 106CFU/ml. Antibiotic studies showed that majority of the gram-negative isolates were sen-sitive to the antibiotics. Resistance was obtained against augmentin, nalidixic acid (NAL) for P. aeruginosa. E. coli had resistance against ceporex, septrin, and NAL, while the gram-positive streptococci had resistance against cetriaxone and ampicillin. The presence of these multi-drug resistant strains of the isolated organism in abattoir effluents could act as a vehicle to disseminate antibiotic resistance to other bacteria. This emphasizes the need for proper treatment and safe disposal of abattoir effluents in the study area.