ABSTRACT 

The Isolation and Identification of microorganisms of Public Health Importance from Water-Side Abattoir effluent, Aba, Abia State was carried out. Samples were taken from the abattoir effluent, and also, from upstream and downstream of the receiving water body. The samples were examined for pathogenic microorganisms and the mean counts of the different isolates were gotten. The bacterial isolates were Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp., Klebsiella sp., Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter sp. while the fungal isolates were Aspergillus sp., Rhizopus sp. and Penicillium sp. The Total Heterotrophic Count ranged from 9.8 × 104 cfu/ml to 2.2 × 107 cfu/ml with the effluent giving the highest mean count. The Total Coliform Count ranged from 7.5 × 104 cfu/ml to 1.7 × 107 cfu/ml with the effluent also giving the highest mean count. The Salmonella count ranged from 3.4 × 103 cfu/ml to 7.0 × 104 cfu/ml. The Shigella count ranged from 2.2 × 103cfu/ml to 5.6 × 104 cfu/ml. The Escherichia coli count ranged from 2.0 × 104 cfu/ml to 5.4 × 105cfu/ml. The Staphylococcus aureus count ranged from 7.0 × 103 cfu/ml to 6.7 × 105 cfu/ml. The fungal count ranged from 2.0 × 103 cfu/ml to 5.0 × 104 cfu/ml. The presence of the isolated pathogens could impact on public health and indicates poor abattoir hygiene. Thus, adoption of appropriate abattoir wastewater treatment measure is recommended.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Certification i

Dedication ii

Acknowledgements iii

Table of Contents iv

List of Tables vi

Abstract vii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Aims and Objectives 2

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 

2.0 Slaughter and Waste Handling in Nigeria 3

2.1 Pollution of water bodies with Abattoir Waste 4

2.2 Potential bacterial contaminants associated with abattoir wastewater 4

2.2.1 Escherichia coli 5

2.2.2 Salmonella 6

2.2.3 Shigella 8

2.2.4 Klebsiella 9

2.2.5 Enterobacter 10

2.2.6 Serratia 11

2.2.7 Pseudomonas 11

2.3 Viruses that can be found in abattoir wastewater 12

2.3.1 Rotavirus 12

2.3.2 Hepatitis A virus (HAV) 13

2.3.3 Hepatitis E virus (HEV) 13

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS  

3.0 Study Site 15

3.1 Sample collection 15

3.2 Sterilization of materials 15

3.3 Media Preparation 15

3.4 Isolation and enumeration of microorganisms 16

3.5 Characterization and Identification of isolates 17

3.5.1 Gram Staining 17

3.5.2    Motility test 18

3.6 Biochemical Tests 18

3.6.1 Catalase Test 18

3.6.2 Coagulase Test 19

3.6.3 Oxidase Test 19

3.6.4 Urease Test 19

3.6.5 Indole Test 19

3.6.6 Methyl Red-VogesProskauer Test 20

3.6.7 Citrate Utilization test 20

3.6.8 Sugar Fermentation Test 20

3.7 Statistical analysis 21

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS 22

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.0 Discussion 26

5.1 Conclusion 29

5.2 Recommendation 29

REFERENCES 30

Appendix

LIST OF TABLES 

Table                                 Title         Page

      1 Microbial count of the isolates   23

      2 Characterization and Identification of Bacterial Isolates   24

            3            Identification and Characterization of Fungal Isolates   25