Abstract:
Water is the carrier of infectious entities like pathogenic microorganisms and other
chemicals which can cause waterborne diseases. Aquatic reservoirs of Pakistan are
contaminated with pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli etc. This is due to the unsafe
domestic water usage and its discharge, unprotected water sources and poor management of
waste water. This research was carried out to assess prevalence of Salmonella in different
water streams of Islamabad and determine its antibiotic resistance. A total of forty samples
were collected from eight locations of Islamabad. The sample collection was distributed
evenly over a period of ten weeks. Salmonella was purified by using XLD and SS agar.
Isolated Salmonella was confirmed by different biochemical tests. Further the invA gene was
detected by using PCR. Antibiotic susceptibility test was also performed against the isolates.
Salmonella was not found in only Shangrilla water stream which was away from the city but
it was found in all the other streams including Shahdara, Barakahu G-6 and I-9 water streams
which were crossing from populated areas. These streams are therefore deemed to be
contaminated due to the anthropogenic activities, unsafe discharge of domestic waste and
not maintaining the hygienic conditions. The isolated Salmonella strains were also resistant
to the antibiotics Azithromycin, Ampicillin, Lincomyccin and Oxytetracycline. They also
showed partial resistance to Streptomycin, Doxycycline and Cephradine. The ways in which
these waterborne diseases can be minimized are by improving the quality of drinking water
and by safer sewage disposal along with provision of low cost and proper sanitation facility.
