Occurrence of Escherichia coli from Environmental Effluents during Rainy and Dry Season in Keffi Metropolis, Nasarawa State

Environmental issues have escalated over the past four decades, largely due to poor management practices leading to severe aquatic pollution and increased waterborne diseases. This study investigated the occurrence of Escherichia coli in environmental effluents during the rainy and dry seasons of 2019 in Keffi Metropolis. A total of 192 effluent samples were collected, and E. coli was isolated using standard microbiological methods. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested and interpreted following CLSI guidelines. Out of the 192 samples collected during the rainy season 2019 the highest occurrences from abattoirs effluent was in the 2nd month (22.9%) and the lowest were in 4th month (16.6%). From hotels the highest occurrence was in 1st month (10.4 %) and the lowest were in 3rd month (2.0 %). From Hospitals, the highest occurrence was in 2nd month (10.4 %) and the lowest were in 4th month (4.1%). From homes the highest was in 1st month (16.6%) and lowest were in 3rd month (6.2 %). During the dry season 2019 from effluent the highest E. coli isolated was in 4th month (35.4%) and the lowest were from 1st month (27.0%). From hotels the highest was in 3rd month (22.9%) and the lowest were in 2ndmonth (10.4 %). From Hospitals, the highest was in 4th month (18.7 %) and lowest was from 1st month (10.4%). From homes the highest E. coli isolated was in 4th month (25.0 %) and lowest were from1stmonth (16.6%) The E. Coli isolated from environmental effluents during rainy season in 2019 were highly resistant to Suphamethoxazole/Trimethopin (89.7%) and but less resistant to imipenem(20.4 %). While E. coliisolated duringdry season in 2019 were highly resistant to streptomycin (86.8%) but less resistant to gentamicin (18.1%). and imipenem(12.1%). The occurrence of E. coliform environmental effluents shows different levels of E. coli contamination in the environmental effluents that flows into farm₋land and river bodies in Keffi