Antibiotic Resistance of Faecal Bacteria Indicators and Pathogens Isolated from Sludge and Wastewaters of Abattoirs in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Bacterial antibiotic resistance has become a serious problem among pathogenic bacteria and has led to increased concern surrounding environmental risks and potential spread of resistance in microbial species. Besides having clinical consequences, resistant bacteria of animal origin may be the source of determinants of resistance for the possible transfer to human strains. The objectives of the present study were to determine the abundance and distribution of antibiotic and multiple drug resistance among faecal bacteria indicators and pathogens found in wastewaters of animal abattoirs in Nairobi, Kenya. Standard microbiological methods were used to isolate and identify faecal streptococci, faecal coliforms, Vibrio and Salmonella species. Sensitivity to antibiotics was determined by agar diffusion method. The mean intermediary sensitive case (8.1% (±5.6)) was significantly lower (p=0.00) compared to the mean sensitive (41.3% (±23.1)) and mean resistant (50.6% (±22.3)) cases at p<0.05. Isolates showed high resistance to lincomycin (90%), ampicillin (80%), and methicillin (72.5%) and low resistance to chloramphenicol (22.5%). The results provided dynamics of resistance development in warm blooded animals usually consumed by humans. Multiple antibiotic resistance index was >0.2 indicating high risk of exposure to the various antibiotics.