Parasitological and bacteriological survey of liquid wastes from Naze industrial clusters in Owerri, Imo state

Liquid wastes are known to be highly contaminated and pose great public health risk, especially when indiscriminately discharged to the environment. The parasitological and bacteriological survey of liquid wastes from Naze industrial clusters in Owerri metropolis was carried out. Sewage wastewater and laundry wastewater were used as study samples. 100mls each of the samples were collected from the drainage sites with sterile screw-capped specimen bottles, and sent to the laboratory for analysis. The liquid wastes were filtered and the filtrates were used for the analysis. Parasitological analysis employed Zinc Sulphate Centrifugal Flotation Technique and Modified Ziel-Nielsen stain (Acid-Fast Staining). Parasitic ova, cysts, larva and oocysts isolated were identified using standard morphological and taxonomic keys. Bacterial isolates were identified using standard microbiological techniques and biochemical characteristics where necessary. Parasites such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, Schistosoma mansoni, Hymenolepsis nana, Entamoeba histolytica, Gardia lamblia, Balantidium coll and Isospora belli were isolated from the liquid wastes. Bacteria species isolated included Erwinia amylovora, Listeria monocytogens, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus vulgaris. The results showed that the most prevalent parasite and bacteria isolated were Ascaris lumbricoides 49(37.6%) and Salmonella typhi (3.38x104 CFU/mL) respectively. These potentially pathogenic parasites and bacteria detected in these liquid wastes, pose serious threat to public health. Interventive measures such as public health education, adequate drainage and waste disposal system, regular and monitored environmental sanitation, and provision of safe and portable water supply to the study area, are recommended.