Abstract

This study investigated the enteric bacteria, antibiotic resistance and toxigenic genes profiles of isolates from the borehole water sources in Diobu, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Water samples were collected at monthly intervals for a period of 12 calendar months (June 2023 to May, 2024), covering both the dry and wet seasons. Water samples were analyzed using standard microbiological methods, leading to the identification of 14 bacteria genera which included pathogenic and opportunistic strains such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhii, and Escherichia coli. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed widespread resistance, with several isolates exhibiting multidrug resistance (MDR) to Fluoroquinolones, β-lactams, and other antibiotic classes. Notably, K. pneumoniae, V. cholerae, Yersinia enterocolitica, Salmonella typhii, and Escherichia coli showed resistance to multiple agents, while some species, such as Kluyvera ascorbata and Enterobacter aerogenes, retained susceptibility to aminoglycosides. These findings highlight borehole water as a potential reservoir for MDR bacteria, with significant public health implications due to possible transmission via contaminated water, food, and direct human contact. This highlights the need for continuous environmental surveillance, stricter waste management, and antibiotic stewardship to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance through water.