Feco-orally transmitted infectious diseases are common in Nigeria where the potable water access is poor. In the south-western Nigerian Ibadan metropolis, supply of municipal water is meagre as residents depend on household wells and boreholes. The likelihood of fecal contamination of household water sources in Ibadan was examined longitudinally to quantify and understand its impact. Well and borehole water samples aseptically collected from 96 households in Ibadan were assessed for total heterotrophic counts (THCs), total coliform counts (TCCs) and total Escherichia coli counts (TECs) using a pour plate technique. E. coli were identified by uidA and whole-genome sequencing using Illumina technology, whereas virulence factors were predicted using VirulenceFinder. There was season-independent abundance of THC and TCC in the well and borehole with a significant recovery of E. coli in the wells during the wet season compared to the dry season (P = 0.0001). Virulence genes associated with pathogenic E. coli were identified in 13 (52%) strains with one E. coli each classified as extra-intestinal E. coli, avian pathogenic E. coli and enteroaggregative E. coli. High heterotrophic and coliform counts, with rainfall-driven E. coli contamination revealed that the water sources evaluated in this study are unfit for consumption.

Livestock are a source of zoonotic pathogens and bacteria harbouring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that can pose a threat to public health. This study assessed the burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and genomic diversity of Salmonella and Escherichia coli at 25 poultry farms in Oyo State, Nigeria. The farm-level occurrence of Salmonella was 48%, with 12 serovars identified, including S. Kentucky Sequence Type 198. Notably, 70% of Salmonella isolates were resistant to fluoroquinolones, and multidrug resistance was observed in S. Kentucky and S. Derby. The study also found a 52% farm-level occurrence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli, with four bla_CTX-M variants detected (bla_CTX-M-15, bla_CTX-M-27, bla_CTX-M-55, and bla_CTX-M-65). A genomic analysis revealed the dissemination of bacterial clones between farms, indicating potential routes of transmission. The high occurrence of AMR in both Salmonella and E. coli presents a potential public health risk, mainly through the consumption of contaminated poultry products. The study highlights the need for improved farm biosecurity and appropriate antimicrobial use to reduce the spread of resistant strains and combat AMR. These findings contribute to the Nigerian National Action Plan for AMR and underscore the importance of ongoing research and interventions in the poultry sector.

Escherichia coli are pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant organisms that can spread to humans through water. However, there is sparse synthesised information on the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant E. coli through drinking water in Africa. This review provides an overview of the environmental spread of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli through drinking water in Africa. We performed a systematic review based on PRISMA guidelines, and 40 eligible studies from 12 countries were identified until June 2023. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Elsevier, AJOL, and DOAJ) were searched. Studies that employed phenotypic tests (n = 24/40) in identifying the bacterium outstripped those that utilised genome-based methods (n = 13). Of the 40 studies, nine and five, respectively, assessed the bacterium for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotype and genotype. Multiple antibiotic resistance indices of 0.04-0.1 revealed a low level of antibiotic resistance. The detection of multidrug-resistant E. coli carrying resistance genes in certain water sources suggests that AMR-surveillance expansion should include drinking water.

Gram-negative bacteria that produce Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and metallo beta-lactamase (MBL) show resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. This study was to determine Beta-lactamases-producing Pseudomonas species in fish ponds. Pseudomonas species isolated from aquaculture water samples using Pseudomonas base agar were characterised biochemically. The detection of ESBL and MBL was made by double disc synergy and imipenem-EDTA combined disc methods, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility was by disc diffusion method. The 94 Pseudomonas species isolated comprised P. aeruginosa (62.8%), P. stutzeri (14.9%), P. putida (9.8%) and P. fluorescens (12.8%). P. aeruginosa 16 (16.3%) and P. stutzeri 4 (4.3%) produced ESBL, but 2 (10%) P. aeruginosa and 1 (5%) P. stutzeri produced MBL. Resistance of ESBL producers to trimethoprim was 55.5% and 7 (35.0%) were multidrug resistant. Detection of ESBL and MBL in Pseudomonas spp. from this study implies environmental health risk. Antibiotics misuse in aquaculture and discharge of untreated aquaculture wastewater into the environment should be discouraged.

Objectives: The synthesis of nanoparticles using microorganisms and their metabolites is of increasing interest because they are potential producers of biocompatible and environmental friendly nanoparticles. Their nanoparticles can serve as potent alternatives to antibiotics against multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The antibacterial potential of Bacillus spp. metabolites, their silver nanoparticles (SNPs), and some antibiotics against MDR Salmonella spp. was evaluated. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial potential of metabolites and SNPs biosynthesized from Bacillus spp. was characterized, the effect of physicochemical parameters on SNP biosynthesis, the antimicrobial activity of the SNPs, and combination of SNPs and antibiotics against MDR Salmonella strains were evaluated. Results: The bioactive metabolites of the Bacillus spp. exhibited varied antimicrobial potential against the tested MDR Salmonella spp. The metabolites were able to bioreduce silver nitrate (AgNO3) to Ag+ for SNP biosynthesis. Change in color from whitish to darkish brown and a surface plasma resonance peak of 600-800 nm were observed. The SNPs were aggregated, rods, and crystalline in shape and their sizes were 15 mu m, 16 mu m, and 13 mu m. Carboxylic acid, amino acid, alcohol, esters, and aldehydes were the functional groups found in the biosynthesized SNPs. The antibacterial activity of BAC1-SNPs, BAC7-SNPs, and BAC20-SNPs against MDR Staphylococcus aureus 9 (MDRSA9) and MDRSA18 was 6.0-22 mm and 11-20 mm. SNPs biosynthesized at pH 7 and 10 mM AgNO3 had the highest antagonistic activity. Combination of SNPs and antibiotics exhibited the best antagonistic potential. Conclusion: The metabolites and SNPs from Bacillus spp. exhibited antagonistic effects against MDR Salmonella spp. The combined SNPs and antibiotics had better antimicrobial activity.

Contaminated household water in peri-urban communities is a reservoir for virulent Escherichia coli, but its role in the environmental transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) remains poorly understood. This study characterized E. coli from household water and additionally aimed to investigate the transmissibility of ARGs from drug-resistant isolates. Twenty-five E. coli isolates from thirteen household well water sources were tested for resistance to 14 antibiotics by disc diffusion and whole-genome sequenced using the Illumina platform. The ARGs and plasmid replicon types were respectively predicted using ResFinder and PlasmidFinder. Multidrug-resistant strains carrying plasmid replicons found in unrelated strains were conjugated with nalidixic acid-resistant (NAL^R) E. coli C₆₀₀ using the solid plate method. Fifteen isolates displayed a multi-drug resistance (MDR) phenotype, with 18 possessing ARGs that confer resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, macrolide, sulphonamide, aminoglycoside, chloramphenicol, β-lactams, and tetracycline. Fifteen of the 25 isolates belonged to sequence type detected more than once, and fourteen of these were multidrug resistant. Through solid plate mating, beta-lactam-resistant qnrS1-tet-dfrA14-positive strains bearing IncFI-, IncHI2, and IncHI2A successfully transferred ampicillin resistance to a nalidixic acid-resistant derivative of E. coli-_C600. This research highlights the urgent need to safeguard household water sources against fecal contamination to curb the dissemination of ARGs among bacterial populations in this environment.