Abstract of research

SOME CHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON DRINKING WATER IN AN OSTRICH FARM AT ISMAILIA PROVINCE

Metawea, Y.Fa, Tulip A. Abd El-Ghaffara, Lobna, M.A. Salemb and El-Shibiny, A.A.c

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the quality of drinking water in an ostrich farm through chemical and bacteriological examination with special emphasis to isolation and identification of some pathogenic microorganisms of public health concern. Water samples (n=210) were collected during summer season 2011 from an ostrich farm located at Elkassaseen, Ismailia province [main source, tanks (30 of each) and drinkers (n=15) of ostrich flocks at different age]. Results indicated that, the highest mean values of pH, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, chlorides, organic matters, total hardness, total solids, aerobic plate, enterobacteriacae, coliform and staphylococcus counts were recovered from drinkers water followed by tanks and main source. On the other hand, the lowest mean values of all chemical parameters and microbial counts were recovered from drinkers water collected from ostrich flock at age 1-10 days, then gradually increased to reach the maximum values in drinker's water of those collected at age 6-12 months. The overall occurrence % of Salmonella, E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus in all examined water samples were 5.2%, 11.9% and 8.6%, respectively, and the most predominant serotypes of Salmonella was S. enteritides (4 strains), and S. typhimurium (3 strains), while the most predominant serotype of E. coli was O126:K71 (B16) (7 strains), O86:K61 (B7) (6 strains), and O55:K59 (B5) (4 strains). From the obtained results we can conclude that sites of water sampling, systems of housing and management depending on the age of ostrich flock are greatly affecting the water quality. Water may act as a dangerous source of microorganisms to ostrich flock and consequently contribute to human infection with pathogens of public health importance.