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Investigation of the occurrence and risk of Infection of pathogenic and antibiotic resistant Campylobacter species in selected source waters within the Kowie catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Collaborators: C.F. Nnadozie, C. Knox, O.N. Odume, and R. Tandlich
Sponsor: Water Research Commission

April 2019 – March 2023

Locally, rivers are affected by fecal pollution from livestock practices, outdated wastewater treatment plants, and agricultural activities. Surface water is consistently implicated in the transmission of bacteria to humans, including antibiotic-resistant strains. Direct contact with and consumption of fecally contaminated water are principal risk factors for Campylobacteriosis, a disease caused by Campylobacter spp. and the leading cause of diarrhoea worldwide. South Africa, being a water-scarce country, relies heavily on surface water resources for irrigation, domestic, recreational, and industrial purposes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the occurrence and human health risks of Campylobacter species in the Bloukrans River in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and to analyse Campylobacter antibiotic resistance in the country. The study employed both culture-dependent and culture-independent (molecular-based) approaches as well as desktop analysis. The results indicate that the high occurrence of Campylobacter and the presence of antibiotic resistance genes in the river system pose a significant public health concern, with livestock grazing around the Bloukrans River identified as a major contributor to bacterial pollution.

Last Modified: Tue, 06 Aug 2024 14:42:50 SAST