PLASMID CURING ANALYSIS OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA ISOLATED FROM DIFFERENT DRINKING WATER SOURCES IN AFIKPO NORTH L.G.A, EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigates plasmid curing analysis on Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from Wowoo River and Otu-eke (Ndibe Beach) in Afikpo North LGA. Total active bacterial count ranged from 2.0 x 105 to 3.0 x 105 cfu/ml. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was presence 30% of Otu-eke River (Ndibe Beach) water samples and 35% of Wowoo river water sample. The bacteria were entirely susceptible to ceftazidime and Aztreonam. The resistance rate is in this variation: High resistance to amoxicillin (83.33%), and moderately resistance to imipenem (66.66%). Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Index: 0.66 for Wowoo stream and 0.44 for Otu-eke River (Ndibe beach). A total of 75% of isolated P. aeruginosa harboured plasmids. Plasmid-borne Pseudomonas aeruginosa found in both river drinking water in Afikpo is a thing of concern as it’s spreading resistance in clinical isolates. This study concludes that Otu-eke (Ndibe Beach) and Woowo river, as a source of water for human use, poses a significant health risk due to the high presence of coliform bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which demonstrated multiple antibiotic resistance. The resistance genes were found to be both plasmid and chromosomally borne, highlighting the need for caution when using both Otu-eke (Ndibe Beach) and Woowo river water for human consumption or other purposes.