Abstract

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Infections caused by using contaminated water are common in developing nations. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics has led to increased spread of antibiotic-resistance bacteria, even in underground water. This study investigated the susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates from borehole water and hand-dug wells in Ohaukwu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Twenty (20) water samples were collected at random from hand-dug wells and underground boreholes located throughout Ohaukwu Local Government Area, and were examined for their physicochemical parameter, presence of bacteria as well as the antibiogram of the bacteria isolates using standard techniques. Our test results showed most of the physicochemical parameters were within permissible limits. The bacteriological analysis however exceeded the WHO limit of 0Cfu/100ml for drinking water with the presence of Escherichia coli 22 (42.5%), Pseudomonas spp. 3 (8.9%), Klebsiella spp.15 (36.0%), Salmonella spp. 15 (36.0%), and Staphylococcus aureus 6 (12.6%) make up the percentage distribution of the bacteria isolates. The antibiogram analysis revealed that most isolates were resistant to Mupirocin (97%), Bacitracin (91%), Gentamycin (84%) and Clindamycin (76.3%), but were sensitive to Ofloxacin (99.4%), Ceftazidime (86%) and Amikacin (72.3%). The study revealed that while Salmonella species was susceptible to Amikacin (72%), Ceftazidime (82.1%), and Ofloxacin (86.9%), it was resistant to the other three tested drugs. The resistance profile and low bacteriological quality of the drinking water sources evident in this study, is of great importance for the public health to the people resident in Ohaukwu Local government Area of Ebonyi State. It emphasizes the need for public education campaigns against the risks of building substandard wells and boreholes, and maintaining stringent standards for sanitation and personal hygiene.

Keywords: Groundwater, antibiotics, resistance, Ebonyi