Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the identified bacterial isolates in wastewater effluents discharged into Lake Victoria at Mukuuba landing site, Wakiso district, Uganda. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71020/jwhr.v2i9.73Keywords:
Antimicrobial Susceptibility, Bacterial Isolates, Wastewater Effluents, Lake Victoria, Mukuuba Landing Site, Wakiso DistrictAbstract
Background
Wastewater effluents can carry pathogenic and drug-resistant bacteria. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the identified bacterial isolates in wastewater effluents discharged into Lake Victoria at Mukuuba Landing Site, Wakiso District, Uganda.
Methodology
The study employed a descriptive, cross-sectional, laboratory-based design and quantitative methods. A total of 30 wastewater effluent samples, purposively selected, were described using standardized microbiological techniques. Microsoft Excel 2016 was used to analyze data.
Results
- aureus showed resistance to penicillin G, but was sensitive to erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and tetracycline. E. faecalis was susceptible to all tested antibiotics. E. coli showed resistance to ampicillin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, but was sensitive to ceftriaxone, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and meropenem. K. pneumoniae was resistant to ampicillin but susceptible to four other drugs. P. mirabilis showed 100% sensitivity, and C. freundii showed resistance to ampicillin and SXT, but sensitivity to ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and meropenem.
Conclusion
The results on antimicrobial susceptibility revealed a concerning trend of resistant bacteria, where many of the isolates exhibited very low susceptibility to antibiotics, including ampicillin, tetracycline, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid
Recommendation
Local agencies responsible for public health should develop and mobilize mass, customized, rational antibiotic stewardship programs designed to monitor and limit antibiotic misuse by humans and animals in the locality.
References
Katumba, G., Mwanja, H., Mayito, J., Mbolanyi, B., Isaasi, F., Kibombo, D., Namumbya, J., Musoke, D., Kabazzi, J., Sekamatte, M., Idrakua, L., Walwema, R., Lamorde, M., Kakooza, F., & Etimu, S. (2024). Establishing Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in the Water and Environment Sector in a Resource-Limited Setting: Methodical Qualitative and Quantitative Description of Uganda’s Experience From 2021 to 2023. JMIRx Bio, 2(1), e50588. https://doi.org/10.2196/50588
Kibwana, U. O., Manyahi, J., Moyo, S. J., Blomberg, B., Roberts, A. P., Langeland, N., & Mshana, S. E. (2024). Antimicrobial resistance profile of Enterococcus species and molecular characterization of Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium from the fecal samples of newly diagnosed adult HIV patients in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Frontiers in Tropical Diseases, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1307379
La Rosa, M. C., Maugeri, A., Favara, G., La Mastra, C., Magnano San Lio, R., Barchitta, M., & Agodi, A. (2025). The Impact of Wastewater on Antimicrobial Resistance: A Scoping Review of Transmission Pathways and Contributing Factors. Antibiotics, 14(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14020131
Mayito, J., Kibombo, D., Olaro, C., Nabadda, S., Guma, C., Nabukenya, I., Busuge, A., Dhikusooka, F., Andema, A., Mukobi, P., Onyachi, N., Watmon, B., Obbo, S., Yayi, A., Elima, J., Barigye, C., Nyeko, F. J., Mugerwa, I., Sekamatte, M., … Kajumbula, H. (2024). Characterization of Antibiotic Resistance in Select Tertiary Hospitals in Uganda: An Evaluation of 2020 to 2023 Routine Surveillance Data. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 9(4), Article 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9040077
Namusoosa, R., Mugerwa, I., Kasozi, K. I., Muruta, A., Najjuka, G., Atuhaire, W. D., Nabadda, S., Mwebesa, H., Charlse, O., Ssewanyana, I., Ssemaganda, A., & Muwonge, A. (2023). The epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant clinical pathogens in Uganda (p. 2023.10.28.23297715). medRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.10.28.23297715
Omohwovo, E. J. (2024). Wastewater Management in Africa: Challenges and Recommendations. Environmental Health Insights, 18, 11786302241289681. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302241289681
Zieliński, W., Korzeniewska, E., Harnisz, M., Drzymała, J., Felis, E., & Bajkacz, S. (2021). Wastewater treatment plants as a reservoir of integrase and antibiotic resistance genes – An epidemiological threat to workers and the environment. Environment International, 156, 106641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106641
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of World Health Research
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in any of our journals retain the copyright to their work but agree to grant Burundi Publishing the right of first publication. All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. This promotes transparency and fosters wide dissemination of the research.
