RISK ASSESSMENT OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANT BACTERIAL SPECIES IN ABATTOIR WASTE WATER

ABSTRACT

The risk assessment of antibiotic resistant bacterial species in abattoir waste water in Benin City was carried out to evaluate the potential risk associated with antibiotic resistant organisms isolated from abattoir waste water using standard microbiological techniques. Waste water obtained from two different abattoirs were used. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 25.8 x 103 + 2.8 to 27.0 x 103 + 8.2cfu/ml and the total coliform counts range from 9.0 x 103 + 7.0 to 9.1 x 103 + 2.8cfu/ml. Using cultural, morphological and biochemical tests, 5 species of bacteria were isolated during this study. They include Staphylococcus sp., Bacillussp., Escherichia coli, Shigella sp. and Salmonella sp. Most of these organisms isolated were resistant to two or more antibiotics used. It was observed that waste water from most abattoir could be a source of dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria. This could pose significant public health threat when these untreated abattoir effluents are discharged into water bodies. Therefore, appropriate waste water treatment measures should be carried out before waste water are discharged into water bodies. Waste water from slaughter house contain a range of organic and inorganic pollutants if left untreated pose a negative impact on the public health environment.