MICROBIAL INVASION OF INTESTINE IN COLONIZING AGAMAS (AGAMA AGAMA) FROM ASPECT OF HYGIENIC WATER CONTROL IN TROPICAL AREAS OF WEST-AFRICA

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 161  (5-6) , 534-539
Abstract
Agamas are regularly found in great numbers near water supply plants, and excrements of these animals can be traced to the plants. To ascertain the cause of drinking water contamination, 37 agamas were caught and immediately killed and the bowel contents examined. Agamas had no uniform microbial population and no aerobically cultivated bacterial species was present in all animals. Streptococcas, Hafnia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Escherichia coli, Salmonella elizabethville, S. teshie, S. lagos, S. dugbe, S. scentes, S. simonstown, S. agona and S. senegal were found. Only some of agamas discharged E. coli or coliform bacteria in excrement and 7 of 12 which excreted large quantities of salmonellae did not harbor E. coli or coliform bacteria in their bowels. The prerequisite to be met by the indicator function for E. coli and coliform bacteria no longer exists for water contamination due to reptile excrement. Detection of salmonellae in water must be given priority over detection of E. coli and coliform bacteria if, as in West Africa, the spread of salmonellae by reptiles or other animals which do not excrete E. coli or coliform bacteria regularly must be considered.

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