Browsing by Author "Mwachiro, E.C."

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    Antibiotic resistance of bacteria isolated from Nairobi River
    (2006) Budambula, Nancy; Mwachiro, E.C.; Gitonga, N.M.
    This study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic resistance of bacteria isolated from six sites along the pollution gradient of Nairobi River. Bacteria were isolated by standard methods and grouped into 3 categories; enteric Gram negative bacteria, non enteric Gram negative bacteria and Gram positive bacteria. They were identified using standard biochemical techniques and API Kits. The bacteria were tested against 16 antibiotics using the disc agar diffusion technique. The highest incidence of antibiotic resistance was recorded with nystatin (80.0%), followed by trimethoprim (63.3%) and cephalothin (55.8%). The enteric Gram negative bacteria recorded the highest incidence of antibiotic resistance while Gram positive bacteria showed the least antibiotic resistance. Pollution by animal and human waste contributes to the bacterial load of aquatic ecosystems. Pollution enhances the incidence of antibiotic resistance, which is of medical concern.
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    Antibiotic resistance of bacteria isolated from Nairobi River.
    (2006) Budambula, N.L.M.; Mwachiro, E.C.; Gitonga, N.M.;
    This study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic resistance of bacteria isolated from six sites along the pollution gradient of Nairobi River. Bacteria were isolated by standard Methods and grouped into 3 categories; enteric Gram negative bacteria, non enteric Gram negative bacteria and Gram positive bacteria. They were identified using standard biochemical techniques and API Kits. The bacteria were tested against 16 antibiotics using the disc agar diffusion technique. The highest incidence of antibiotic resistance was recorded with nystatin (80.0%), followed by trimethoprim (63.3%) and cephalothin (55.8%). The enteric Gram negative bacteria recorded the highest incidence of antibiotic resistance while Gram positive bacteria showed the least antibiotic resistance. Pollution by animal and human waste contributes to the bacterial load of aquatic ecosystems. Pollution enhances the incidence of antibiotic resistance, which is of medical concern.
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    Metal Status of Nairobi Riverwaters and Their Bioaccumulation in Labeo Cylindricus
    (2005-03-03) Budambula, N. L. M.; Mwachiro, E.C.
    This study focused on the analysis of metals in water and fish from Nairobi River. Water from Kikuyu, Kawangware, Chiromo, Eastleigh, Njiru and Fourteen Falls along the Nairobi River was analyzed for the presence of metals. Most of the metal levels in water were below the critical limit of World Health Organization and Kenya Bureau of Standards except for lead, chromium, iron and manganese. Isolated cases of mercury and aluminium pollution were recorded. Except for iron, sodium and potassium, there was no significant difference in the concentration of metals at different sites. This study also analyzed metal levels in fish organs and tissues of fish caught from downstream (Fourteen Falls). The highest zinc concentration (360 μg/g) was in the scales, copper recorded the highest concentration in the kidney (45 μg/g), while cadmium recorded high values (167 μg/g) in the heart. Lead recorded high values (178 μg/g) in the heart and mercury recorded high values also in the heart (1000 ng/g). Most of these organs, are however, not eaten by man as food. Although metal levels were within normal levels in the water at Fourteen Falls, mercury, copper, lead and iron recorded higher than accepted levels in some fish organs. This calls for caution in the consumption of fish from Fourteen Falls.
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    Metal Status of Nairobi Riverwaters and Their Bioaccumulation in Labeo Cylindricus
    (Springer, 2005-03-03) Budambula, N. L. M.; Mwachiro, E.C.
    This study focused on the analysis of metals in water and fish from Nairobi River. Water from Kikuyu, Kawangware, Chiromo, Eastleigh, Njiru and Fourteen Falls along the Nairobi River was analyzed for the presence of metals. Most of the metal levels in water were below the critical limit of World Health Organization and Kenya Bureau of Standards except for lead, chromium, iron and manganese. Isolated cases of mercury and aluminium pollution were recorded. Except for iron, sodium and potassium, there was no significant difference in the concentration of metals at different sites. This study also analyzed metal levels in fish organs and tissues of fish caught from downstream (Fourteen Falls). The highest zinc concentration (360 μg/g) was in the scales, copper recorded the highest concentration in the kidney (45 μg/g), while cadmium recorded high values (167 μg/g) in the heart. Lead recorded high values (178 μg/g) in the heart and mercury recorded high values also in the heart (1000 ng/g). Most of these organs, are however, not eaten by man as food. Although metal levels were within normal levels in the water at Fourteen Falls, mercury, copper, lead and iron recorded higher than accepted levels in some fish organs. This calls for caution in the consumption of fish from Fourteen Falls.
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    Metal status of Nairobi riverwaters and their bioaccumulation in Labeo cylindricus
    (Academic Journals, 2005-03) Budambula, Nancy; Mwachiro, E.C.
    This study focused on the analysis of metals in water and fish from Nairobi River. Water from Kikuyu, Kawangware, Chiromo, Eastleigh, Njiru and Fourteen Falls along the Nairobi River was analyzed for the presence of metals. Most of the metal levels in water were below the critical limit of World Health Organization and Kenya Bureau of Standards except for lead, chromium, iron and manganese. Isolated cases of mercury and aluminium pollution were recorded. Except for iron, sodium and potassium, there was no significant difference in the concentration of metals at different sites. This study also analyzed metal levels in fish organs and tissues of fish caught from downstream (Fourteen Falls). The highest zinc concentration (360 μg/g) was in the scales, copper recorded the highest concentration in the kidney (45 μg/g), while cadmium recorded high values (167 μg/g) in the heart. Lead recorded high values (178 μg/g) in the heart and mercury recorded high values also in the heart (1000 ng/g). Most of these organs, are however, not eaten by man as food. Although metal levels were within normal levels in the water at Fourteen Falls, mercury, copper, lead and iron recorded higher than accepted levels in some fish organs. This calls for caution in the consumption of fish from Fourteen Falls.
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    solation and characterization of naphthalene utilising bacteria from Nairobi River
    (2006) Budambula, Nancy; Mwachiro, E.C.
    Bacteria that utilise naphthalene were isolated on minimal medium from 3 sites along the Nairobi River. Sixteen isolates were obtained, characterised and identified as Listeria sp., Aerococcus viridans, Streptococcus adjacens, Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus ltominis, Serratia liquefaciens, Kluyvera sp., Klebsiella pneumoniae pneitmoniae, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas mendocina and Listonella damsella. Microbial growth was used as an indicator of naphthalene degradation. Listeria sp., A. viridans, S. adjacens, Bacillus sp., S. hominis, S. liquefaciens and P. mendocina showed heavier growth at 80 mg/I of naphthalene as compared to no naphthalene. The 16 isolates were generally resistant to ampicillin and lincomycin but sensitive to nalidixic acid, norfloxacin and minocycline. Bacillus sp (NR34) showed the highest level of resistance to antibiotics. Plasmids ranging between 1 kb and 3.5 kb were isolated from Pseltdontonas putida. The Kluyvera sp. was shown to carry plasmids that ranged from 2 kb to 55 kb.