Microbiological quality and safety of Rastrineobola argentea retailed in Kisumu townmarkets,

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate faecal contamination and safety of Rastrineobola argentea sold in retail markets in Kisumu town. Design: This was a repeated cross sectional study and based on random sampling. Setting: Kisumu city, targeting six markets; Oile, Jubilee, Kibuye, Kondele, Nyalenda and Manyatta. Results: A total of 60 fish samples were analysed. All the fish were found to be contaminated with E. coli, and in addition 6.67% of the fish products tested positive for Salmonella. Shigella was absent in all samples analysed. 26.53% of E. coli isolates tested were resistant to two or more antimicrobial agents tested, with the highest level of resistance detected against cotrimoxazole at 38.76%. The E. coli multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index was 0.084 indicating that the contamination was not originating from a high -risk source. A plasmid of approximately 5.6 kb was commonly isolated from E. coli isolates that showed resistance to ampicillin. Plasmids isolated were not transferable by conjugation. Conclusion: The presence of Salmonella spp and occurrence of MDR E. coli were identified as some of the possible health risks that may be associated with R. argentea displayed for sale in Kisumu city markets. This possess a real health risk through consumption or directly through contact with the fish products

Antimicrobial Evaluation of the Methanol Bark Extracts of Plumbago Dawei Rolfe, A Local Spp. Used By the Samburu Community, Wamba, Samburu District, Kenya for The Treatment Of Diarrheal Ailments

Aims: The Samburu are a marginalized nomadic people in Kenya who have no access to conventional medical services thus they mainly depend on the medicinal plants for most of their medicare. Antimicrobial activity of the commonly used medicinal plant (Plumbago dawei Rolfe.) by the Samburu community was investigated to verify claims by locals of its medicinal properties. Methodology and results: The antimicrobial bioassays of the methanol extracts of P. dawei Rolfe was carried out by the disc diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 20591, Bacillus subtilis local isolate, Salmonella typhi ATCC 2202, Escherichia coli STD-25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 25852. By use of the micro dilution method MICs and MBCs were also determined. Preliminary phytochemical screening was done on the extracts. The methanol extracts were highly active against all the test strains. The inhibitory zones ranged from 16-25.66 mm. The zones of inhibition were not significantly different except for the E. coli (16.33 mm) at p< 0.05. The extract showed strong MIC and MBC against S. typhi, S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa (MIC = 9.38 mg/mL and MBC = 9.38mg/mL). Thus the extract was more of bactericidal than bacteriostatic in most test strains. Preliminary phytochemistry revealed presence of flavonoids, tannins and cardiac glycosides. Conclusion significance and impact of study: The data suggests that methanolic extracts of P. dawei could be a rich source of antimicrobial agents. These results give scientific backing for the use of the P. dawei Rolfe, barks by the Samburu in the treatment of conditions associated with diarrhea and other associated infections caused by the test organisms

Usefulness of Faecal Streps as Indicator of Presence of Salmonella sp. and Vibrio cholerae in Sewage Effluents

Enteric pathogens are the most frequent cause of diarrheal illness, which account for an annual mortality rate of three million people and an estimated four billion infection worldwide. One way of preventing this is by ensuring proper sewage treatment. The study was carried out to provide data for level of microbiological contamination as well as baseline data for the future assessment and monitoring of pollution levels of sewage lagoons around Kenyatta university sewage treatment plant. It was also aim to find out the indicator organism that is suitable for the assessment and monitoring of faecal pollution. This paper contains the results of isolation, identification and quantification of faecal coliforms, streps, Salmonella sp. and Vibrio cholerae from Kenyatta university sewage treatments ponds. For the faecal coliforms, detection and quantification was done using the Most Probable Number (MPN) technique. The isolation and enumeration of faecal streps, Salmonella sp. and V. cholerae was done using standard methods. Correlation of faecal coliforms with Salmonella sp. and V. cholerae was 85% and 2% respectively. For the faecal streps, correlation with Salmonella sp. and V. cholerae was 78% and 12% respectively. This indicates that faecal streps should be included as indicator organisms of the potential health hazards of polluted water. Most international drinking water quality guidelines and standards include bacterial indicators as a measure of microbial water quality, and for compliance reporting. The results from the study support the idea of using both the faecal streps and coliforms as indicators of faecal pollution

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE AND VIRULENCE FACTORS IN ESCHERICHIA COLI FROM BROILER CHICKENS SLAUGHTERED AT TIGONI PROCESSING PLANT IN LIMURU, KENYA.

Background: Antibiotics and disinfectant use in broiler farms is a very common practice and an important risk factor for promoting the emergence, selection and spread of antimicrobial-resistant micro organisms in environment, veterinary and human medicine.Objectives: To investigate multi-drug resistance and presence of virulence related genes in Escherichia coli isolates from healthy broiler chicken at slaughter time.Design: Cross sectional and laboratory based study of virulence and drug resistance in E. coliSetting: Tigoni processing plant, Limuru, Kenya.Results: High resistance levels were detected for most commonly used drugs like tetracycline (75.9%) and cotrimoxazole (72.4%). Other antibiotics like ampicillin (39%), chloramphenicol (13.2%) and ciprofl oxacin (19%) recorded resistance levels although they are rarely used in poultry farming. One hundred and seventeen isolates showed resistance to two and more antibiotics. Different farm treatments were a signifi cant factor for multidrug resistance (p&lt; 0.001). The E. coli isolates showed twenty-one different multidrug resistant patterns with tetracycline/cotrimoxazole being the mostcommon. Sixty samples were analyzed for virulence related genes using multiplex PCR. Seven virulence related genes were investigated but ten isolates were positive for verotoxin and three for intimin. Serotype 0111, 0126, 06 and 078 were positive for verotoxin, 0126 and 0111 were positive for intimin. There was no signifi cant relationship between virulence and multi-drug resistance (p&lt; 0.05).Conclusion: The present study highlights the presence of multi-drug resistant and virulent E. coli among healthy broiler chicken in Kenya. The possible source of antibiotic resistance in the broilers is the use of recommended antibiotics which coselect resistance for other antibiotics. Surveillance for drug resistance pathogens in food products is recommended

Influence of Organic and Inorganic Soil Amendments on Soil Moisture Content and Micronutrients

Aims: This study was carried out to evaluate the influence of organic and inorganic soil amendments on soil moisture content and micronutrients in semi and arid areas. &nbsp; Methodology: The study was laid out as randomized complete block design (RCBD) in split plot arrangement for two seasons. The treatments were ChalimTM, Super-hydro-grow polymer and Metham sodium, Metham sodium, Metham sodium + Orange peel, Super-hydro-grow polymer, Control, Brassica tissue, ChalimTM + Super-hydro-grow polymer, Brassica tissue + Orange peel and Metham sodium + Super-hydro-grow polymer. Soils were sampled from each experimental site, dried and taken to laboratories for determination of Zinc, Iron, Manganese and copper both at initial and at the end of the experiment using a SpectrAA- 40 atomic absorption spectrometer, PSC-56 programmable sample changer. Moisture content was calculated by subtracting total dry soil plus Petri dish weight from total wet soil plus Petri dish weight. Calculated moisture content was recorded in all samples across the two seasons for analysis. Results: There was a significant difference (p≤0.05) in the treatment effect on soil moisture content in except for MS and CM+OP in both season one and season two in the green house. A combination of both organic and inorganic soil amendments like BT+OP, BT+ SHG had the highest moisture content. There was significant difference (p≤0.05) in the soil amendments effect on the amount of Micronutrients in the beginning and end of the experiement. Conclusion: Through this study, it was realized significant difference (p≤0.05) in the soil amendments effect on soil moisture content in all the treatment in both seasons. BT +SHG soil amendment was superior in maintaining soil moisture content in both season 1 and 2. It is therefore recommended that Metham sodium should not be applied in very dry soil to avoid reduction of the moisture content. There was micronutrient increment in all the treatments. BT+ SHG was superior soil amendment in increment of micronutrients

Bacterial Wilt, A Challenge in Solanaceous Crops Production At Kenyan Highlands and Lowlands

Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal agent of bacterial wilt disease, results in serious world-wide economic losses particularly in the tropics. Members of the family Solanaceae such as potato, tomato, chili and tobacco are the most affected. A survey was conducted in the period of short rains (October December ) the year 2015, coveringnbsp Kenyan highlands and lowland regions of Nyeri, Kiambu, Nyahururu, Kirinyaga, Murangrsquoa, and Embu counties the major production zones of potato, tomato and capsicum to determine the prevalence, effects and management measures in practice by farmers in control of this bacterium. The findings implicated high dependence of farmers to the solanaceous crops both for income and food (68%), and extensive presence of the bacteria in all the seven study counties. The survey indicated bacterial wilt as a big challenge in production of Solanaceae crops in central Kenya. Lack of elaborate disease management measures and poor seed systems (57%) were found to be the key contributors to the extensive spread, high prevalence (68.57%) and the high incidence (17.74%) of the disease. These findings indicated an urgent need for set up of affordable up to standards seed systems of Solanaceae crops family. This output will enable experimentation of the plant extracts and organic supplements as cheap measures in management of the bacterium leading to alleviation of bacterial wilt challenges in Kenyan highlands and lowlands

Heavy metal tolerance and antibiotic resistance profiles of gram negative bacteria isolated from Lake Victoria, Kenya

Pollution and increased levels of heavy metals in the Lake Victoria Wetlands are suspected to be negatively influencing the biota in one of the world most important freshwater resources. In this study, fecal contamination of water in the Lake Victoria wetlands was investigated using the standard coliform test. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated by plating on Mackonkey's and EMB media. Isolates were characterized, and their ability to grow in the presence of heavy metals tested. Isolates were also tested for resistance to commonly used antibiotics. The study was conducted both in the dry and wet seasons. Fecal contamination was detected in all tested water samples, as evidenced by the isolation of Escherichia coli both in the wet and dry seasons. Coliform counts of above 1100 MPN/100 ml were detected. Ninety-five and forty-five gram-negative bacterial isolates were obtained in the dry season and wet seasons, respectively. Isolates from the dry season were resistant to nalidixic acid (66%), ampicillin (54%), and tetracycline (28%). They were however largely sensitive to gentamycin (95%) and streptomycin (98%); 41.1% percent of the isolates showed multi-drug resistance. A similar antibiotic resistance pattern was detected in the wet season, and 31.1% of the isolates were multi-drug resistant. Many of the isolates were resistant to Zinc and Copper (final conc. 1.6 g/l each), but largely sensitive to mercury (0.05 g/l; 52%) and lead (2 g/l; 89%). Although, tolerance to heavy metals is usually associated with plasmids, which also encode resistance to antibiotics, a direct correlation between antibiotic resistance and heavy metal tolerance by the isolates obtained in this study cannot be established. Further work needs to be conducted to establish the molecular basis of resistance. Constant monitoring of antibiotic resistance levels in bacteria from Lake Victoria wetlands is essential, considering the prevalence of water borne diseases in the area. Keywords: Lake Victoria, fecal pollution, Gram Negative bacteria, Heavy metal tolerance J. Trop. Microbiol. Biotechnol. Vol. 3 (2) 2007: pp. 20-2