BIO-AEROSOLS AND THEIR VIRULENCE FACTORS IN EDONWHII BEACH ATMOSPHERE, EASTERN OBOLO LGA, NIGERIA

Journal: Environmental Contaminants Reviews (ECR)
Author: Idongesit Sunday Ambrose, Dora Udoh, Nsikak Abraham, Ubong Ekong, Uzochukwu K. Chukwu, Stephen E. Ukpong

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Doi:10.26480/ecr.02.2023.75.80

ABSTRACT

Standard microbiological techniques were used to evaluate bio-aerosols and associated virulence factors in the Edonwhii Beach Atmosphere in Eastern Obolo LGA, Nigeria. The microbial components of the beach atmosphere were evaluated using Settle Plate and Metagenomics methods. All the culturable bacteria but Escherischia coli, elaborated virulence factor(s), indicating potential to cause disease. At the molecular level, pathogenic genes fliC and hlyA that code for flagellin C and hemolysin A virulence factors were detected. Also detected were strains of Fusarium verticilliodes, Candida krusei, Candida albicans, Trichophytosporon sp and Cladosporium sp and are capable of causing keratitis or other dermal infections in human. High concentrations of microbial pollutants in Edonwhii beach atmosphere are a clear evidence of air pollution which can adversely impact on human health. As a result, continual monitoring of air quality, as well as devising and developing instruments to identify contaminants, is advised. Open defecation near the beach should be avoided, and overall environmental cleanliness should be maintained.

KEYWORDS
Bio-aerosols, Virulence Factors, Atmospheric Aerosols, Settle Plate, Open defecation, Metagenomics