Comparative analysis of enteric bacteria in groundwater near poultry farm environments in Ijebu north, Ogun state, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Water-borne diseases are becoming more common because of inadequate water treatment procedures and unsanitary conditions.
Aim: This study involved performing comparative microbial analyses at five different sites to assess the presence of enteric bacteria in the soil and groundwater used by poultry farms.
Methods: Groundwater and soil samples obtained from four rural communities in Ijebu North region, Nigeria, were investigated using physicochemical and bacteriological analysis. Following the dilution plating method, enteric bacteria species were identified and characterized with the aid of colonial characteristics, gram-stain reaction, and biochemical tests
Results: The findings demonstrated high contamination of groundwater sources in these communities, the presence of enteric bacteria including Salmonella species (38%), Escherichia coli (27%), Klebsiella species (9%), Staphylococcus species (4%) and Shigella species (22%) were reported in water samples, soil sample analysis also revealed the presence of Enteric bacteria including Salmonella species (47%), Escherichia coli (24%), Klebsiella species (5%), Staphylococcus species (5%) and Shigella species (19%).
Conclusion: The analysis of water and soil samples provided strong evidence that soil can contaminate groundwater on poultry farms with enteric bacteria. To reduce the risk of enteric bacteria present, appropriate precautions such as proper poultry water treatment should be followed.