scholarly journals Characterisation of mobile colistin resistance genes (mcr-3 and mcr-5) in river and storm water in regions of the Western Cape of South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolandi Snyman ◽  
Andrew C. Whitelaw ◽  
Jo M. Barnes ◽  
Motlatji R. B. Maloba ◽  
Mae Newton-Foot
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Storm Water ◽  
Gene Variants ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Three Rivers

Abstract Background Colistin is regarded as a last-resort antimicrobial against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), therefore the dissemination of colistin resistance in the environment is of great concern. Horizontal transfer of mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes to potential pathogens poses a serious problem. This study aimed to describe the presence of colistin resistant GNB and mcr genes in river and storm water in regions of the Western Cape. Methods Water samples were collected from three rivers during May 2019 and January 2020 and two storm water samples were collected in November 2019. Colistin resistant GNB were cultured on MacConkey agar containing colistin and identified by MALDI-TOF. Colistin resistance was confirmed using broth microdilution (BMD). mcr-1-5 genes were detected by PCR performed directly on the water samples and on the colistin resistant isolates. mcr functionality was assessed by BMD after cloning the mcr genes into pET-48b(+) and expression in SHuffle T7 E. coli. Results mcr-5.1 and various mcr-3 gene variants were detected in the Plankenburg-, Eerste- and Berg rivers and in storm water from Muizenberg, and only mcr-5.1 was detected in storm water from Fish Hoek. Colistin resistant GNB were isolated from all of the water sources. Aeromonas spp. were the most common colistin resistant organisms detected in the water sources; 25% (6/24) of colistin resistant Aeromonas spp. isolated from the Berg river contained novel mcr-3 variants; mcr-3.33 (n = 1), mcr-3.34 (n = 1) mcr-3.35 (n = 1) mcr-3.36 (n = 2) and mcr-3.37 (n = 1), which were confirmed to confer colistin resistance. Conclusions The mcr-5.1 and mcr-3 colistin resistance gene variants were present in widely dispersed water sources in regions of the Western Cape. The mcr genes were only detected in water sampled downstream of and alongside communities, suggesting that their presence is driven by human influence/contamination. This is the first documentation of mcr-3 and mcr-5 gene variants in any setting in South Africa. Spill-over of these genes to communities could result in horizontal gene transfer to pathogenic bacteria, exacerbating the challenge of controlling multidrug resistant GNB infections.

scholarly journals Information and knowledge sharing trends of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Western Cape, South Africa

2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faeda Mohsam ◽  
Pieter A. Van Brakel
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Explicit Knowledge ◽  
Civil Engineering ◽  
Storm Water ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Company Strategy ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Track Record

Background: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, are currently facing various financial and other obstacles, which may threaten their survival. Globalisation, the lowering of trade barriers and the reduction of import tariffs have resulted in increased international competition. Businesses are thus forced to undertake continuous improvements and innovation in order to survive, to keep abreast of change and to excel.Objectives: Effective knowledge sharing and consequent knowledge management (KM) have been identified as definite approaches to enhancing competitive advantage. The research therefore aimed to establish to what extent small enterprises embrace their knowledge sharing activities and whether their knowledge sharing activities are managed at all. Furthermore, it examined how their knowledge sharing can contribute to their competitive advantage.Method: A case study approach was followed for this research. Selected SMEs from the engineering sector were the subject of the case study and SME owners, directors and managers of consulting civil engineering firms were interviewed to determine whether there are mechanisms in place to ensure better knowledge sharing within SMEs.Results: In general, respondents had stated that they possessed special factors that set them above their competitors:• The company strategy and good reputation of completing projects within the required timeframe. In other words, they were well known for their track record in terms of service delivery. • Their specialty in terms of different focus areas, namely structural and civil engineering, water supply and storm water design, transportation, sewer design and storm water traffic. • The fact that they operated in silos. This means that the specialists in their specific fields operated independently in groups, separately from everyone else in the company. • Their good relationship with local authorities and other companies in the field. • Their multidisciplinary approach in incorporating all spheres of civil engineering, which gave them a niche in the market. • The vast knowledge and experience of the owners and directors.Conclusion: Each of the companies interviewed had unique skills that they can apply to their advantage. They were also found to be implementing KM processes such as sharing, creating and leveraging of information and knowledge, albeit in the absence of formal policies. It was therefore deduced that SME successes depend on how well they share their tacit and explicit knowledge; this will determine whether they would excel above their competitors.

Potentially pathogenic bacteria isolated from different tropical waters in Sri Lanka

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1463-1469 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. M. G. C. K. Mannapperuma ◽  
C. L. Abayasekara ◽  
G. B. B. Herath ◽  
D. R. I. B. Werellagama
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Well Water ◽  
Faecal Coliforms ◽  
Total Coliforms ◽  
Source Waters

This study investigated the bacteriological contamination of different water sources in Sri Lanka. Source waters (n = 74) including bottled water, well water and surface water were assessed for enumerating total coliforms and faecal coliforms using the membrane filtration method. The results showed that 18.5 and 14.8% of bottled water samples were contaminated with total coliforms and faecal coliforms, respectively. All the well water and surface water samples exceeded the WHO permitted levels for total coliforms and faecal coliforms. Bacteriological identification using biochemical tests and api 20E identification tests revealed the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria in all water sources tested. Bottled water mainly contained three Enterobacter species, while well water samples showed the broadest spectrum of bacteria including eleven coliform species belonging to the genera Klebsiella, Escherichia, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Kluyvera, Pantoea, Rautella, and 10 non-coliform species in the genera Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, Salmonella and Acinetobacter. Surface waters contained seven coliform species belonging to the genera Klebsiella, Escherichia, Citrobacter, Rautella and Serratia, and eight non-coliform species in the genera Pseudomonas, Aeromonas and Acinetobacter. Detection of higher bacteriological counts and identification of potentially pathogenic bacteria in different source waters suggest a potential health risk of the water sources used in Sri Lanka.

scholarly journals Occurrence of PAHs in water samples of the Diep River, South Africa

Water SA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (1 January) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adetunji A Awe ◽  
Beatrice O Opeolu ◽  
Olatunde S Olatunji ◽  
Olalekan S Fatoki ◽  
Vanessa A Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Western Cape Province ◽  
Water Matrix ◽  
Remediation Strategies ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic

Occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in freshwater may aggravate the water crisis currently being experienced in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. However, there is dearth of data on the levels of PAHs, which is necessary for effective assessment of water quality as well as remediation strategies. This study therefore assessed levels of PAHs in the Diep River freshwater system of Western Cape Province, South Africa. A liquid-liquid extraction solid-phase extraction gas chromatography flame ionisation detection (LLE-SPE-GC-FID) method was developed to simultaneously determine the 16 United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) listed priority PAHs in water samples. The SPE-GC-FID method allowed an acceptable linearity (R2 > 0.999) within the calibration range of 1 to 50 µg/mL. Instrument detection limits ranged between 0.02 and 0.04 µg/mL and instrument quantification limits between 0.06 and 0.13 µg/mL. Recovery study results were also acceptable (83.69–96.44%) except for naphthalene, which had recovery of 60.05% in spiked water matrix. The seasonal averages of individual PAH detected at the studied sites ranged between not detected (nd) and 72.38 ± 9.58 µg/L in water samples.

Colistin Resistance Mechanisms in Clinical Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. Isolates from the Western Cape of South Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolandi Snyman ◽  
Andrew Christopher Whitelaw ◽  
Sandra Reuter ◽  
Motlatji Reratilwe Bonnie Maloba ◽  
Mae Newton-Foot
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Klebsiella Spp

scholarly journals Caregiver–child separation during tuberculosis hospitalisation: a qualitative study in South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 008124632096272
Author(s):  
Kyla A Meyerson ◽  
Graeme Hoddinott ◽  
Anthony J Garcia-Prats ◽  
Mark Tomlinson
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Tuberculosis Treatment ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Resistant Tuberculosis ◽  
Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis ◽  
Child Separation ◽  
Incident Cases

There are an estimated 32,000 incident cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in children globally each year. Extended hospitalisation is often required to ensure optimal adherence to the complex multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment regimen. Hospitalisation usually results in caregiver–child separation which is known to cause psychological difficulties in children. We explored caregivers’ and health workers’ perceptions of the effects of caregiver–child separation during hospitalisation for tuberculosis in the Western Cape. We conducted semi-structured interviews with health workers ( n = 7) and caregivers ( n = 14) of children who were receiving multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated. We used thematic analysis to organise and interpret the data. We identified three themes: (1) multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment was a distressing experience for children, caregivers, and health workers; (2) children’s behavioural states during and post-hospitalisation (e.g., crying, aggression, hyperactivity, and withdrawal) were suggestive of their distress; and (3) caregivers and health workers used strategies, such as deception, threat, and the prioritisation of biomedical health over psychological health as a means to manage their own as well as the children’s distress. This article presents novel research on the dynamics involved in caregiver–child separation as a result of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment in South Africa. We highlight that the challenges of caregiver–child separation intersected with predisposing factors related to the social adversity that families affected by childhood tuberculosis experience. Delivery models that facilitate outpatient community-based care should be prioritised and a more structured form of psychological support should be implemented for those who still require hospitalisation.

scholarly journals Abundance of pathogenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Vibrio cholerae in Nkonkobe drinking water sources

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maggy N. B. Momba ◽  
Veronica K. Malakate ◽  
Jacques Theron
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Salmonella Typhimurium ◽  
Vibrio Cholerae ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Drinking Water Sources

In order to study the prevalence of enteric pathogens capable of causing infection and disease in the rural communities of Nkonkobe, bacterial isolates were collected from several surface water and groundwater sources used by the community for their daily water needs. By making use of selective culture media and the 20E API kit, presumptive Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Vibrio cholerae isolates were obtained and then analysed by polymerase chain reaction assays (PCR). The PCR successfully amplified from water samples a fragment of E. coli uidA gene that codes for β-D-glucuronidase which is a highly specific characteristic of enteropathogenic E. coli, enterotoxigenic E. coli and entero-invasive E. coli. The PCR also amplified the epsM gene from water samples containing toxigenic V. cholerae. Although E. coli was mostly detected in groundwater sources, toxigenic V. cholerae was detected in both surface and groundwater sources. There was a possibility of Salmonella typhimurium in Ngqele and Dyamala borehole water samples. The presence of these pathogenic bacteria in the above drinking water sources may pose a serious health risk to consumers.

scholarly journals Quantification and molecular characterisation of human sapoviruses in water sources impacted by highly polluted discharged wastewater in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1055-1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya Y. Murray ◽  
Maureen B. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Molecular Characterisation ◽  
High Concentrations

Sapoviruses (SaVs) were detected and quantified in 8/10 water samples collected from wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) and water sources impacted by these WWTWs in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The median SaV concentration was 2.45 × 106 copies/L and SaV genotypes I.2 and IV were characterised. This study provides new data on the high concentrations of clinically relevant SaVs in rivers and dams impacted by poor-performing WWTWs.

Perfluorooctanoate and perfluorooctane sulfonate in South African river water

2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. N. Mudumbi ◽  
S. K. O. Ntwampe ◽  
F. M. Muganza ◽  
J. O. Okonkwo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
River Water ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Perfluorooctane Sulfonate ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
River Water Samples ◽  
Salt River

This study examined the prevalence of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in river water samples (n = 56) and suspended solids (n = 5) from three major Western Cape rivers, in South Africa. Solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography combined with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using an analytical method developed in ISO 25101 (2009), PFOS and PFOA concentration in river water and in suspended solids from the rivers was investigated and quantified. From the results, PFOA and PFOS were detected in all the river water samples and were found in concentrations up to 314 and 182 ng/L for Diep River; 390 and 47 ng/L for Salt River; and 146 and 23 ng/L for Eerste River, respectively. In suspended solids, concentrations for PFOS and PFOA were 28 and 26 ng/g for Diep River; 16 and less than limit of detection for Eerste River; and 14 and 5 ng/g for Salt River, respectively. Some of these concentrations are higher than those previously reported in similar studies in various countries, and this suggests there is a cause for concern, in the Western Cape, South Africa, particularly in catchments where river and ground water is drawn for agricultural purposes in the province.

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