INVESTIGATING THE ANTIBIOTICS SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OF ENTEROBACTER SPECIES ISOLATED FROM RIVER WATER, RECEIVING ABATTOIR EFFLUENT.

The genus “Enterobacter” belongs to the tribe Klebsielleae, which is found in the family Enterobacteriaceae. Members of this genus had previously been referred to as “Aerobacter”. The clinical importance of this genus as a separate entity was not fully appreciated until the 1960s. An overview of Enterobacter species, their significance as opportunistic pathogens, and their susceptibility profiles to various antibiotics. Enterobacter spp., belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. The growing prevalence of antibiotics resistance in bacteria present a considerable threat to human health. This study investigates the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Enterobacter species isolated from river water receiving abattoir effluent, a potential source of bacterial contamination with antibiotic-resistant strains. The biochemical characteristics of the isolates revealed that isolates were positive to catalase, citrate and Voges Proskauer, where as negative to oxidase, indole and methyl red. The test isolates were able to utilize glucose, maltose, xylose and trehalose but showed varying utilization to inositol and sorbitol. The study was able to isolate Enterobacter species from river water contaminated with abattoir effluent. The morphological and biochemical characteristics matched known species traits. This study was undertaken to investigate the susceptibility pattern of Enterobacter species isolated from river water. The study revealed the presence of Enterobacter species (B1, B2 and B3).