Investigation Of Bacterial Hazards In Low Quality Water Used For Food Production In Urban And Peri-Urban Areas Of Morogoro, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

In Sub Saharan African countries, there is no or limited information on use of low quality water (LQW), hazards in foodstuffs produced using LQW and their associated health risks to humans, animals and the environment. The objective of this study was to investigate faecal bacterial hazards on low quality water; and foodstuffs produced using LQW in Morogoro, Tanzania. This study assessed the extent of E. coli; antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence genes in Extended Spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producing strains; and Salmonella spp. contamination in LQW, tilapia and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. chinensis) irrigated using LQW. The 3M Petrifilm Select E. coli plates were used for enumeration and isolation of E. coli and ESBL producing E. coli at 44.4oC. Isolation of Salmonella spp. was done as per ISO 6579:2002 (E) and its amendment of 2007, followed by; Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE), genotyping, serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). Levels of E. coli, ESBL producing E. coli and Salmonella spp. in wastewater were reduced from 5 -