Occurrence Of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria In Sachet And Bottled Water Brands In Ondo City, Nigeria

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of a microorganism to withstand the effects of an antibiotic. Today, almost all important bacterial infections are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Unavailability of good quality drinking water is widespread and this has serious health implications. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in some sachet and bottled water brands in Ondo city, Nigeria. Twenty brands of sachet and twelve brands of bottled waters sold in Ondo city, Nigeria were investigated using 3-3-3 regimen of MPN index method. The total coliform count (TCC), faecal coliform count (FCC) and heterotrophic plate count (HPC) in water samples were determined in accordance with standard procedures. The Kirby-Bauer method was used to determine the antimicrobial resistance profiles of the bacterial isolates.Fifty-five percent of sachet water brands belonged to class I (excellent), 25% belonged to class II (satisfactory), 25% belonged to class III (suspicious) while 5% belonged to class IV (unsatisfactory). However, 100% bottled water brands were of class I (excellent). HPC in sachet water brands ranged from 0 - 3.5 x 103 cfu/ml while FCC ranged from 0 - 2.7 x 102 cfu/ml. HPC in bottled water ranged from 0 - 3.5 x 103 cfu/ml while no faecal coliform was present. The bacteria in this study were P. aeruginosa (23.81%), S. aureus (19.05%), Serratia sp (14.29%), Micrococcus sp (14.29%), C. freundii (9.52%), E. aerogenes (9.52%) and K. pneumoniae (9.52%).The overall percentage antibiotic resistance and susceptibility of the bacteria were 43% and 49%, respectively, while 8% of bacteria were intermediately susceptible.This study revealed acceptable bacteriological quality of bottled water brands but questions some sachet water brands from bacteriological standpoints as they fell below WHO drinking water standards. This study also indicted sub-standard packaged waters as a vehicle of spread of antibiotic-resistant potential pathogens, and this poses a high risk to public health.