Vibrio cholerae O1 and Escherichia coli O157:H7 from drinking water and wastewater in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract Background In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, open ditches along innner roads in residential areas serve to convey domestic wastewater and rainwater away from residences. Contamination of drinking water by wastewater through faulty distribution lines could expose households to waterborne illnesses. This prompted the study to assess the microbiological safety of wastewater and drinking water in Addis Ababa, identify the pathogens therein, and determine their antibiotic resistance patterns. Results Vibrio cholerae O1, mainly Hikojima serotype, was isolated from 23 wastewater and 16 drinking water samples. Similarly, 19 wastewater and 10 drinking water samples yielded Escherichia coli O157:H7. V. cholerae O1 were 100% resistant to the penicillins (Amoxacillin and Ampicillin), and 51–82% were resistant to the cephalosporins. About 44% of the V. cholerae O1 isolates in this study were Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producers. Moreover, 26% were resistant to Meropenem. Peperacillin/Tazobactam was the only effective β-lactam antibiotic against V. cholerae O1. V. cholerae O1 isolates showed 37 different patterns of multiple resistance ranging from a minimum of three to a maximum of ten antimicrobials. Of the E. coli O157:H7 isolates, 71% were ESBL producers. About 96% were resistant to Ampicillin. Amikacin and Gentamicin were very effective against E. coli O157:H7 isolates. The isolates from wastewater and drinking water showed multiple antibiotic resistance against three to eight antibiotic drugs. Conclusions Open ditches for wastewater conveyance along innner roads in residence areas and underground faulty municipal water distribution lines could be possible sources for V. cholerae O1 and E. coli O157:H7 infections to surrounding households and for dissemination of multiple drug resistance in humans and, potentially, the environment.