Occurrence of human pathogenic bacteria in Lake Victoria shore water and Oreochromis niloticus at Kasenyi landing site, Wakiso district in Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: As of 2008; human pathogenic bacteria were being identified in lake water and fish and by 2017; it was still a persistent problem in the aquatic environment up to date. Sources attributed to their presence in lake water and fish include; surface run-off from land, sewage discharge, sewage overflow, run-off of domestic and wildlife animal waste, and direct waste deposition by grazing animals among others. Mitigation for aquatic ecosystems degradation over the years has been attempted through field and/or laboratory-based bacteriological monitoring of lake surface water quality. Methods: A cross-sectional laboratory-based survey was undertaken at the Kasenyi landing site. Thirty one (n=31) Lake Victoria shore water samples and thirty (n=30) Oreochromis niloticus samples were collected and bacteriologically examined for Staphylococcus species, Enterococcus species, and Enter obacteria. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2013 software to compute the chi-square and p values. Results: Citrobacter freundii was the most occurring human bacterial contaminant in water at 71% (22/31) while Klebsiella pneumoniae was the least occurring human bacterial contaminant at 6% (2/31). In the Orechromis niloticus organ samples; the most occurring was Enterococcus species at 77.5% (93/120) while the least occurring was Citrobacter freundii at 39% (47/120). There was no statistically signifi cant relationship between the occurrence of bacteria in the Lake Victoria shore water and in the Ore ochromis niloticus organs. Conclusion: Citrobacter freundii had the highest occurrence in the Lake Victoria shore water while Enterococcus species had the highest occurrence in all the four Oreochromis niloticus organs (i.e. skin, intestine, gills, and muscle). A chance-based relationship between the occurrence of bacteria in the Lake Victoria shore water and in the specific Oreochromis niloticus organs was established. Recommendation: A larger sample size research to evidence the potential sources of human pathogenic bacteria in the Lake Victoria shore water and the fish at the Kasen 1 yi landing site.