Spatial Distribution of Bacterial Isolates from Different Abattoirs in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The constituents of wastes generated from abattoir activities create conducive environment for microbial proliferation, most of which are pathogenic. Infections caused by these microorganisms could result to zoonoses. This study was to determine the distribution of bacterial isolates and their biomass from different abattoirs in Port Harcourt. Samples like waste blood, table swab, service water, faecal matter, soil and wastewater from abattoirs in Iwofe, Rumuodomaya and Trans-Amadi were collected from October 2017 to November, 2018 and analysed using standard microbiological procedures. Results obtained revealed that the total heterotrophic bacterial count of blood samples ranged from 8.33x101 to 3.33x102 cfu/ml for Trans-Amadi and Iwofe abattoirs, table swabs ranged from 6.74x104 to 4.88x106 cfu/ml, water samples ranged from 1.56x104 to 2.07x104 cfu/ml; faecal matter had THB counts ranging from 9.97x107 to 1.06x108 cfu/g; and soil samples ranged from 1.11x1010 to 1.17x1010 g, while wastewater counts ranged from 1.03x108 to 1.08x108 cfu/ml. The predominant Bacterial isolates were of the genera Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Serratia, Pseudomonas, Proteus, Klebsiella, Escherichia and Chromobacterium, Serratia sp. only was isolated from Iwofe and Rumuodomaya abattoirs within April to October while Chromobacterium sp. was isolated in Trans-Amadi and Rumuodomaya abattoirs within the months of May to October. Among the isolates, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species occurred more compared to others in all the three locations. A higher percentage of microorganisms were recorded in the month of May compared to other months. It is presumed that abattoir wastes harbour many microorganisms of public health importance. The occurrence of these microbes, most of which are enteric pathogens, poses a public health challenge as infections by them could result in illnesses such as gastroenteritis, septicaemia and pneumonia especially in the absence of good hygiene around abattoirs. Proper sanitation in abattoirs as well as management of abattoir wastes is important in reducing the spread of these microorganisms.