Bacterial indicators of pollution of the Douala lagoon, Cameroon: Public health implications |
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| Authors: | Jane-Francis TK Akoachere Pius M Oben Beryl S Mbivnjo Lucy M Ndip Gerald Nkwelang Roland N Ndip |
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| Affiliation: | 1.Departments of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Buea, Box 63, Buea, Cameroon;2.Geology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Box 63, Buea, Cameroon;3.Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, P/Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundIndiscriminate disposal of untreated wastes which are often heavily laden with sewage microorganisms some of which are pathogenic to humans into aquatic environments near cities could serve as potential dangers to human health.ObjectiveA prospective study was undertaken to investigate the scope of potential bacterial pathogens and to assess the extent of pollution of the Douala lagoon.MethodsA total of eighty water samples were collected fortnightly from the lagoon at five stations from March to October 2005 and analysed for heterotrophic bacterial densities, coliform counts, faecal coliform and faecal streptococcal counts. Bacteria were isolated and identified using standard microbiology and biochemical techniques.ResultsHigh heterotrophic bacterial counts (33 × 105 − 161 × 105 CFU/ mL), total coliform counts (1.8 × 102 − 2.4 × 102 CFU/100 mL), faecal coliform counts (2.2 × 102 − 2.4 × 102 CFU/ 100 mL) and faecal streptococcal counts (2.1 × 102 − 2.3 x 102 CFU/100mL were observed in all sampling stations. Eleven species of bacteria: Bacteroides fragilis, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Citrobacter freundii, Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus mycoides and Serratia marcesens, were frequently isolated.ConclusionThe presence of potential bacterial agents such as Bacteroides fragilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aeromonas hydrophila, Klebsiella pneumoniae and E. coli in the lagoon may pose a serious threat to the health and well being of users of the Lagoon and calls for urgent intervention. |
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| Keywords: | Bacteria Pathogenic Coliform Heterotrophic Lagoon Cameroon |
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