Bacteriological Profile and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Cervico-Facial Cellulitis at the Regional Teaching Hospital of Ouahigouya (Burkina Faso)

Context and Objective: Cervicofacial cellulitis is a lethal infection without treatment. The aim of this study is to establish the bacteriological and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of cervico-facial cellulitis at the Regional Teaching Hospital (RTH) of Ouahigouya, in order to guide practitioners in the development of effective probabilistic antibiotic therapy protocols. Subjects and Methods: This was a transversal descriptive study with prospective data collection from July 1 to December 31, 2021 at the RTH of Ouahigouya. All cases of suppurative cervicofacial cellulitis that had been the subject of pyoculture were retained. Results: A total of 63 patients were chosen including 41 men, with 40.91 years as the average age and the sex ratio was 1.86. In 90.48% of cases, the front door was dental. All patients took antibiotics before their admission. Pus culture was positive in 34/63 subjects (53.97%) and showed monomicrobial infection. The isolates were Gram-negative bacilli for 20.59% and Gram-positive cocci for 79.41%. These isolates were all resistant to certain beta-lactams (such as amoxicillin, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid). However, some isolates were susceptible to cefoxitin, ceftazidime and ceftriaxone. All isolates were sensitive to amikacin for aminoglycosides. As for macrolides, erythromycin had excellent activity (100%) against Gram-positive cocci. Indeed, some isolates were susceptible and others resistant to ciprofloxacin for quinolones. Conclusion: Bacteriological profile and antimicrobial susceptibility knowledge of cervicofacial cellulitis may propose an effective probabilistic antibiotic therapy protocol.

Level of Bacteriological and Physicochemical Pollution of Surface Waters in Rural Area: The Case of Mbankomo Municipality (Center Region, Cameroon)

A study aimed at evaluating the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of surface water was therefore carried out in a few watercourses in the municipality of Mbankomo, located in the Center Region (Cameroon). The physico-chemical parameters were measured according to the standard method. The organic pollution index (OPI) was determined from the contents of nitrates, phosphates, and ammoniacal nitrogen to characterize the level of organic pollution of the water. The microorganisms sought were total flora, indicators of faecal contamination like total coliforms, faecal coliforms, feacal streptococci and Escherichia coli, as well as the species Clostridium perfringens. The organic pollution index indicates a high-level organic pollution level during the small rainy season and high to moderate during the small dry season. High concentrations of the total and fecal coliforms, streptococci fecal, Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens respectively of 1712 × 105 CFU/100mL;82 × 105 CFU/100mL;10 × 105 CFU/100mL;27 × 105 and 40 × 103 CFU/100mL, all higher than WHO standards, indicate that the waterways of Mbankomo are subject to feacal pollution and harbor pathogenic microflora. The cell densities of main bacteria were significantly correlated with main abiotic parameters, such as Escherichia coli, which was significantly correlated with the pH of the water (r = 0.35;p < 0.05). The variation of organic pollution index category means correspond to a high level of organic pollution during the small rainy season and a high to moderate level during the small dry season. The deterioration of the quality of these waters is favored by their proximity to sources of pollution (toilets, plantation), the runoff of the waters contaminated, the use of detergents and wrong maintenance. These waters without any treatment are not recommendable for human consumption according to standards of the World Health Organization.

Bacteriological and Physicochemical Quality of Groundwater of Mbankomo Municipality(Center Region,Cameroon)

A study to evaluate the physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of groundwater was carried out in the commune of Mbankomo(Centre-Cameroon)at 4 wells and 4 springs during the period from March to August.The physico-chemical parameters were measured by the standard method.Indicator bacteria of fecal contamination,namely HAB(Heterotrophic Aerobic Bacteria),total and faecal coliforms(Escherichia coli),and faecal streptococci were isolated by the surface spreading technique on PCA(Plate Count Agar),Endo and BEA(Bile Esculin Azide)agar respectively,and sulphite-reducing clostridia by the incorporation method on Tryptone Sulfite Cycloserine(TSC)agar.From a physico-chemical point of view,the groundwater in Mbamkomo is characterized by an average temperature(24.24±0.24°C);it is polluted with organic matter,acid and poorly mineralized.It was noted from a bacteriological point of view that these waters have a high and varied bacterial load with an average value of 100.8 × 10^(5) CFU/100 mL for coliforms,16.3 × 10^(5) CFU/100 mL for fecal streptococci,5.6 × 10^(5) CFU/100 mL for Escherichia coli and 4.8 ×10^(²)CFU/100 mL for Clostridium perfringens.These concentrations are all higher than the WHO(World Health Organization)standards which are set at 0 CFU/100 mL for coliforms,fecal streptococci and Clostridium perfringens and indicate fecal pollution of these waters.Escherichia coli cell densities were significantly correlated with dissolved oxygen in the water(r=0.510;p<0.05).The degradation of the quality of these waters is favored by their proximity to pollution sources,poor maintenance and poor protection of the wells.These waters,without any treatment,are not recommended for human consumption according to the standards of the WHO.

Epidemiological, Clinical, Bacteriological Profile of Urinary Tract Infection in the Internal Medicine Unit of the Fousseyni Daou Hospital in Kayes

Introduction: Urinary tract infection is one of the most frequent public health problems in the world and concerns all ages. Objective: To describe the epidemiological, clinical and biological profile of urinary tract infection in the internal medicine unit of the Fousseyni Daou hospital in Kayes. Methodology: It was a descriptive and cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection which took place from January 1 to December 31, 2020 at the Internal Medicine Unit of the Fousseyni Daou Hospital in Kayes. It covered all outpatients and hospitalized patients presenting with a urinary tract infection during the study period. Results: We identified 79 cases of urinary tract infection out of 145 requests for ECBU, that is a positivity rate of 53.10% and out of a total of 1883 admissions that is a hospital prevalence of 4.19%. The age groups of 36 to 45 years and 46 to 55 years were more represented in 28 cases (35.44%) and 25 cases (31.64%) with an average age of 45 years ± 10. The female sex was predominant, 42 cases (53.16%) with a sex ratio of 0.88. Housewives were more represented 28 cases (34.44%). The majority of patients resided in rural areas 49 cases (62.03%). The history was dominated by the following pathologies: hypertension 48.10%, diabetes 36.70% and gastropathy 30.37%. The main clinical manifestations were: Urinary burning 67 cases (84.81%), Dysuria 65 cases (82.27%), Pelvic pain 59 cases (74.68%), Fever 57 cases (72.15%). The epidemiological profile of the isolated strains was dominated by enterobacteriaceae, followed by gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli. The main bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections in order of frequency: Escherichia coli (45.56%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.39%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.86%), Staphylococcus aureus (7.59%), Streptococcus sp (6.33%), Enterobacter cloacae (3.79%), Acinetobacter sp (3.79%). The study of the susceptibility and resistance profiles of the isolated strains showed significant sensitivity of enterobacteriaceae to colistin and resistance to amoxicillin and to the amoxicillin + clavulanic acid combination. Conclusion: Urinary tract infections are a major public health problem since they are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality and a high cost of care. Knowledge of the epidemiological-clinical and bacteriological profile of these infections is essential for efficient management.

Current status of bacteriological parameters and DOC/POC in Xiamen coastal waters

The surface and bottom waters samples were collected from six locations in Xiamen western sea. The quantified estimation of bacterial production (H-3-thymidine method) and observation of bacterial heterotrophic activity (C-14-glucose method) have been made in order to have a better understanding of the role of marine bacteria and their activities. The results showed that the mean value of bacterial heterotrophic activity was 9 X 10(8) cells/(L. h) in the surface waters and 2.6 X 10(8) cells/(L. h) in the bottom waters. The mean value of bacterial production was 38 X 108 cells/( L. h) in the surface waters and 7.1 X 10(8) cells/(L. h) in the bottom waters. The relationship between bacterial production, heterotrophic activity, PCC and DOC measured during this survey were discussed. The good understanding of the relationship between bacteria activity and total coliform was addressed.

The environmental influences on the bacteriological quality of red and chicken meat stored in fridges

Objective: To investigate the environmental influences on the bacteriological quality of red and chicken meats on fridges.Methods: The environmental health status was determined by reliable and valid researcher-made checklist.Then 264 samples were gathered in two phases(at the entrance and three months later) and examined for total bacteria count, Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp.Results: The result revealed that the mean of total bacteria count, E.coli and S.aureus densities had significant differences in two steps on chicken and the red meat samples(P < 0.05).Among the environmental factors, sanitary status, temperature and personal hygiene had significant effects on total bacteria count and S.aureus densities in chicken samples(P < 0.05), and between wastewater and solid waste disposal with E.coli density in red meat samples(P < 0.05).Conclusions: The results implied that the bacteriological quality of red and chicken meat fluctuates with environmental status(especially temperature, sanitary status and personal hygiene).Regular control, improving of sanitary health, and staff training are necessary for elimination of bacterial contamination.

Bacteriological safety of plastic-bagged sachet drinking water sold in Amassoma,Nigeria

Objective:To evaluate the bacteriological safety of sachet water sold in Amassoma,a rural community in Bayelsa State,Nigeria.Methods:Six samples of each of the different sachet drinking water brands were bought at random from shop shelves,markets and street vendors and were studies for microbial indicators of safety and quality.Bacterial counts Were analyzed by one-way Analysis of Variance（ANOVA） and significance of differences was tested at 5% probability.Results:Minimum and maximum.counts with regard to the sachet water samples investigated were（4.3±1.1）×106 CFU mL-1 and（8.2±1.0）×106 CFU mL-1 for heterotrophic plate counts;（0.9±0.3）×106 CFU mL-1 and（1.2±0.4）×106 CFU mL-1 for aerobic spore-former counts; （1.3±0.5）×103 CFU mL-1 and（2.5±0.8）×103 CFU mL-1 for total coliforms;（1.6±0.9）×103 CFU mL-1 and（9.5±11.2）×103 CFU mL-1 for thermotolerant coliforms.Klebsiella spp but not Escherichia coli was present in all samples of the brands;non-coliform bacteria detected in some samples were Staphylococcus,Pseudomonas and Bacillus species.Conclusions:The brands of sachet water sold（at the time of this study） in Amassoma did not meet the minimum acceptable standard for microbiologically safe drinking water as recommended by the World Health Organization.

Bacteriological Analysis of Well Water Sources in the Bambui Student Residential Area

Majority of the population in the Bambui student residential area depend on wells as their source of water supply. Due to increasing complaints from students after using this well water sources, this study was carried out to examine the microbial quality of well water sources in the Bambui student residential area, Bamenda, Cameroon as a way of safe guarding public health against water borne diseases. Water samples from a total of fifteen wells, covered and uncovered were assessed for their bacteriological quality using the multiple tube fermentation technique to determine the coliform count using the most probable number method. Positive tubes of the presumptive test were further cultured on appropriate solid media. The organisms isolated were further characterized using standard procedures. The result of the study revealed that most of the wells were grossly contaminated with bacteria pathogens such as Klebsiella species (95%), Escherichia coli (52%) and Salmonella typhi (32.5%). Comparatively, the uncovered wells were more contaminated with bacteria pathogens than the covered well. All the water samples except three exceeded the standard limit of the most probable number (MPN) per 100 ml set for untreated drinking water by the World Health Organization. This result highlight the fact that most well water sources in the Bambui student residential area metropolis are not safe microbiologically for drinking without additional treatment such as boiling or disinfection and this could lead to outbreak of water borne diseases. Good and proper environmental and personal hygiene must be maintained especially by the users of these wells to prevent their contamination with bacterial pathogens. Wells should also be properly constructed.

Method of Improving the Bacteriological Monitoring Quality in Water

Due to lack of quantitative standard reference material, bacteriological monitoring has the characteristics of strong professionality and heavy workload. It is necessary to conduct quality control in sampling preparation, sample collection technology, sample preservation and transportation, laboratory equipment, supply quality and monitoring personnel requirements in order to improve the quality of monitoring data and ensure the representativeness, accuracy, precision, comparability and integrity of the monitoring results.

Physico-chemical,bacteriological and health hazard effect analysis of the water in Taladanda Canal,Paradip area,Odisha,India

The physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters of the water in Taladanda canal and associated water-borne diseases,from which the dwellers have suffered,were studied,by using statistical method.Overuse and the addition of the wastes with sources from urbane industrial sectors,as well as the decrease in water level have caused the canal water quality declined drastically and subsequently led to extensive eutrophication and bacterial contamination.According to the water sample analytical results,the water is lightly acidic with the pH value of 4.5~6.7.The measured indexes,such as total dissolved solid(TDS),electrical conductivity(EC),total suspended solid(TSS),Mn,Zn,Al,Fe,Cu,Cr,and Hg etc,mostly have very high concentrations which are higher than permissible limit,indicating that the canal water is completely unsuitable for human consumption.Furthermore,the biological analysis shows that the total coliform(TC)is in the range of 45.9~30.2 in per 100 mL water in April,30.5~25.3/100 mL in July and 52.9~35.4/100 mL in December,respectively.Similarly,fecal coliform(FC)ranges from 12.8 to 10.1,10.5~7.5 and 13.1~6.4 per 100 mL water in the months of April,July and December respectively.As a result,people who use the water have suffered from different water-borne diseases.On the basis of disease data derived from hospital observations in a period of three years,there had been 4284 people affected by different waterborne diseases from 2016 to 2018.

Studies on Physical, Chemical and Bacteriological Characteristics on Quality of Spring Water in Hajigak Iron Ore Mine, Bamyan Province, Central Afghanistan

The study aimed to assess the physical, chemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water and its potential health effect on study area population. Physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters in six stations of four water springs of Hajigak iron ore mine were studied. These four springs are the predominant source of water in this area. The inhabitant’s villages around the area of interest use these waters 12 months per year without any treatment. Whereas this mine consists of 66% of iron, 6 PPM gold, 26 PPM silver, thorium and some poly metals that directly affect the quality of water. The quality of these water sources has not been investigated and analyzed before for drinking purpose. Therefore studies on spring water quality required analysis for chemical, physical and bacteriological parameters. Chemical and physical analyses revealed that these spring waters are toxic free and the area has very fresh and good quality water based on the guidelines of World Health Organization, national standard of most Asian countries and standard values for Afghanistan. However, the bacteriological analysis detected the E. coli, fecal coli form and total coli form bacteria in water samples that may cause some diseases and health problems.

Appendectomy in Pediatrics the Value of Peritoneal Fluid Smear and Its Bacteriological Profile

Introduction: Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal pain requiring surgery in children. In most instances the infecting organisms are normal inhabitants of the lumen of appendix. Surgery allows easy microbiological sampling. Aspiration of fluid or pus in a syringe is preferred. Swabs are less suitable and only to be used when sampling with a syringe is not feasible. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolated bacteria and particularly of the anaer- obes can be important to adjust therapy in case of the presence of multi resistant bacteria. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the bacteriological profile of acute appendicitis in children. Materials and Methods: Study design is a prospective descriptive study including children hospitalized for acute appendicitis. Tissue samples (a speci- men of the appendix), peritoneal fluid swab from the appendicial fossa and the peritoneal exudates (if exists) obtained at surgery from 54 children with suspected acute appendicitis operated at the pediatric surgery unit at the Maternity and Child Teaching Hospital in Al-Qadisiya province from the period 1st of June 2007 to the end of May 2011, were exam- ined histologically and by culture for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Results: Out of these, 39 boys (72.2%) and 15 (27.7% girls). Their age ranged between (1.8 - 13) years, with a mean of 6.9 years. Of the all patients studied 34 pre- sented with suppurative and phlegmnous appendicitis, 8 with gangrenous appendicitis, 6 with septic complications of appendicitis and 6 had normal appendices. Only 80 of the 108 swabs taken yielded a positive culture (74.07%). Con- clusion: Although in our study no antibiotic regime was changed on the basis of a positive culture swab and the perito- neal culture swabs do not improve immediate postoperative therapy based on surgical impression and rapid histological reporting, however, the routine use of peritoneal culture swabs may be of value in identifying patients requiring outpa- tient follow-up.

Bacteriological Quality of Swimming Pools Water in Port Harcourt Metropolis

The bacteriological quality of swimming pool water in Port Harcourt Metropolis was investigated. Ten (10) swimming pools were examined for microbial quality. Out of the 10 swimming pools, 4 (2, 4, 7 and 9) had bacterial isolates of 40 (100%). Swimming pools 2, 4, 7 and 9 had the bacterial isolates of 10 (25%), 8 (20%), 10 (25%) and 12 (30%), respectively. Of the forty (40) bacterial isolates identified, which represented 100 percent, 22 (55%) were identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis, 10 (25%) Bacillus cereus, 6 (16%) Micrococcus and 2 (5%) Staphylococcus aureus. Among the four swimming pools, 2 and 9 did not have the isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus, respectively. Based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard for recreational waters, the absence of coliform and fecal coliform bacteria (E. coli) revealed that the ten (10) swimming pools used for this study are considered to be within the acceptable limits for certifying microbiological water quality. However, there is a need for care and continuous maintenance of the swimming pools.

Characterization and Application of the Makoua Clay in the Chemical and Bacteriological Depollution of Gutter and Well Waters of Brazzaville

In this work, the authors made aquatic filters according to the formulation “clay stabilized at 4% of cement mixed with 4% of kambala sawdust and 10% of white sand” then heated to 1050°C to decontaminate the waters of gutters and wells. The authors carried out geotechnical, geochemical, thermal, infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy that analyzed the clay material. Geotechnical analyzes have shown that this material is made up of 22% thin sand, 22% of silt, and 56% of clay with 26 plasticity index. The geochemical analysis showed the presence of trace elements shared out as follows: 3% of alkaline metals, 24% of alkaline earth metals, 46% of transition metals, 10% of metal, 16% of lanthanides, 1% of actinides. The most abundant trace elements are barium (19%), vanadium (12%), chromium (11%) and zinc (9%). The thermal and microscopic analyzes revealed the kaolinitic nature of materials. The chemical depollution studies have shown elimination yields of 50% - 52.38% of sulphates;77.33% - 85.19% of phosphates;34.85% - 88.49% nitrates;91.3 - 100 of sulphides;The removal of bacteriological pollution are 92.8% - 98% of total germs;94% - 97% of total coliform and 95% - 98% of E. coli.

Physicochemical and Bacteriological Quality of Ground Water in the Basin of Gounti Yena Valley in Niamey City (Niger Republic)

The Gounti Yéna valley, the subject of this study, is a tributary of the Niger River, it is the main watercourse that divides the left bank of the city of Niamey into two unequal parts. The surface area of its watershed is estimated at about 62 Km2. The objective of the present study is on the one hand to evaluate the current state of the physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of the water of Gounti Yéna basin, and on the other hand to define the risks of water pollution and its origin in the face of the phenomenon of rising water table of this basin. In order to carry out this work, we proceeded to a study of the evolution of the physicochemical and bacteriological parameters of the water of the basin of Gounti Yéna during the period going from November 2020 to October 2021, at the level of four points of sampling chosen from the upstream to the downstream of the basin. The results obtained showed that the physico-chemical quality of the water in Gounti Yéna basin is influenced by the lithology of the watershed, climatic factors (rainfall and temperature) and anthropic actions. This study also highlighted the presence of fecal contamination in the water of the Gounti Yéna basin, with a greater degree of emphasis during the rainy season. This contamination remains a concern and may constitute a health risk.

Study of the Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characteristics of Drinking Water in So-Ava,South Benin

The present study assesses the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of the drinking water used by the population of S?-Ava based on the Beninese standards and those established by the World Health Organization (WHO). In rural and peri-urban areas of Benin where public water supply systems are inadequate or almost non-existent, the population consumes water of various sources of unknown qualities. A total of 67 water samples were analyzed during the rainy season (July 2017) and in the dry season (January 2018) for certain physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters using the standard methods. The results of the analyses reveal that the physicochemical characteristics of the water used for consumption in S?-Ava comply with the drinking water standards of the World Health Organization and those in force in Benin except for the percentages of the following parameters: pH (41.80%);turbidity (25.37%);the color (16.42);ammonium (17.91%);iron (40.30%);Nitrites (4.48%);Residual chlorine (91.05). Bacteriologically, the analyses showed a high total aerobic mesophilic flora contamination, faecal coliforms, E. coli, faecal enterococci respectively in 89.55%, 82.09%, 50.75% and 70.15% of the analyzed water samples. The ratio of faecal coliforms to faecal enterococci indicated that the origin of faecal contamination was human in 59.7% of the samples and animal in 40.3% of the samples. The adoption of hygiene measures at the water point, during the transport and storage of water, including the treatment by chlorination of drinking water at the family level was recommended for the population concerned and household awareness on the adoption of basic hygiene and sanitation measures have been recommended for hygiene and sanitation services.

The Bacteriological Profile of Surgical Site Infections in Orthopaedic Implant Surgeries in South-East Nigeria

Background: Knowledge of the common bacteria that cause surgical site infection (SSI) and their antibiotic sensitivity is mandatory if treatment of surgical infection is to be successful. The threat of the emergence of resistant strains of bacteria is ever-present. Hence, a sensitivity directed therapy is paramount for the successful eradication of organisms with minimal risk of development of antibiotic resistance. Aim: The aim is to identify the common bacteria that cause SSI in orthopaedic implant surgeries in our hospital. Method: This is a prospective longitudinal study that includes all orthopaedic surgeries involving the use of implants within one year. Patients that had major orthopaedic surgeries involving implant were followed up and their wounds inspected for signs of SSI on postoperative days 3, 7, 14, 42 and 90. Wound swab was taken for microscopy, culture and sensitivity analysis from those who had wound infection, based on the CDC guidelines. Results: One-hundred and sixteen patients met our inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. There were 62 males and 54 females. The mean age of the participant was 39.62 years (SD = 15.02 years). Fracture fixation with plates and screws was the most common implant surgery done. The incidence of SSI was 2.6%, and Escherichia coli was the most common isolated pathogen. All the SSIs were superficial incisional type, and the infection was monomicrobial in 67% of cases and polymicrobial in 33%. All of the isolated pathogens were sensitive to Imipenem and Gentamycin. Conclusion: Superficial incisional SSI is the most common type of SSI in this study. Escherichia coli is the most frequent pathogen in SSI affecting implant surgeries in our hospital. Gentamycin and Imipenem should be used for the prophylaxis of SSI in our environment.

Bacteriological and Physico-Chemical Characterisation of Liquid Wastes: The Case of the University Hospital Centre (UHC) of Yaoundé-Cameroon

The untreated effluents generated by hospital activities contribute to the dissemination of pathogenic germs and multi-resistant bacteria, thus presenting a great potential danger for health and the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbiological and physico-chemical quality of the effluents of the Yaoundé University Hospital Centre and their impact on the environment. It was a prospective and analytical study on three sites where hospital effluents from the intensive care unit (Station A), the upstream of the wastewater treatment plant (Station B), and the gynaecology, surgery and hospitalisation departments (Station C) were sampled. Samples were collected in sterile glass bottles for bacteriological analyses and polyethylene bottles for physico-chemical analyses. The bacteriological parameters measured showed that the density of the bacterial species sought was very high at Station B with a predominance of the species Escherichia coli (57.36%). At Station A, total coliforms were very abundant (50.12%) and at Station C, the genus Pseudomonas was predominant (14.69%). Bacteria of the genus Streptococcus were represented by three species, namely: Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The Pseudomonas genus was also represented by 3 species, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas maltophilia and Pseudomonas putida. The physico-chemical parameters showed that apart from temperature and conductivity, which were in compliance with the standards, the other had values higher than these standards. This study shows that untreated hospital effluent contains most of the bacteria involved in community, nosocomial infections and would be a potential source of risk to the surrounding population.

Exploring groundwater quality in semi-arid areas of Algeria:Impacts on potable water supply and agricultural sustainability

Groundwater quality assessment is important to assure safe and durable water use.In semi-arid areas of Algeria,groundwater represents the main water resource for drinking water supply of the rural population as well as for irrigation of agricultural lands.Groundwater samples from wells and springs were collected from the Gargaat Tarf and Annk Djemel sub-watersheds of the Oum El Bouaghi,Algeria,and were analyzed and compared with the World Health Organization(WHO)standards.Results showed that most of the measured physical and chemical parameters exceeded the quality limits according to the WHO standards.Groundwater had a slightly alkaline water pH(7.00-7.79),electrical conductivity>1500μS/cm,chloride>500 mg/L,calcium>250 mg/L,and magnesium>155 mg/L.Water quality index(WQI)results showed that 68%of the area had excellent water quality,24%of the samples fell into good category,and only 8%were of poor quality and unsuitable for human consumption.Six wells in the area showed bacterial contamination.Total coliforms(453.9(±180.3)CFU(colony-forming units)/100 mL),fecal coliforms(243.2(±99.2)CFU/100 mL),and fecal streptococci(77.9(±32.0)CFU/100 mL)loads were above the standard limits set by the WHO.These results confirmed that water resources in the study area were strongly influenced by anthropogenic activities and were not recommended for consumption as drinking water.

Bacteriological challenges to asbestos cement water distribution pipelines

Asbestos cement （AC） pipes were commonly installed in the drinking water distribution systems from the mid 1920s to the late 1980s. In recent years, an increase in the number of water main breaks has occurred in the AC portions of some pipe networks, which can be partially attributed to the corrosion of the aged pipes. This study evaluated the potential role that microorganisms may have played in the degeneration and failure of AC pipes. In this study, a fresh AC pipe section was collected from the distribution network of the City of Regina, Canada and examined for microbiological activities and growth on inside surfaces of pipe sample. Black slime bacterial growths were found to be attached to inner pipe surfaces and a distinctively fibrous internal coating （patina） with iron oxides was formed over the time. The microbial populations inside the patina and the black slime were tested with BART^TM testers. Heterotrophic aerobic bacteria （HAB） and slime forming bacteria （SLYM） dominated in both the black growths and inside the patina. Iron related bacteria, denitrification bacteria and sulfate reducing bacteria were also commonly present. Microbial challenge assays were conducted by submerging the cut segments of the AC pipe into selected bacterial cultures for a period of 10 days under both aerobic and anaerobic environments. Weight changes were determined and the surface morphology was examined for each of the assayed pipe segments. Results indicated that acid producing bacteria, SLYM and HAB could facilitate the pipe weight loss under anaerobic environments.