Quantification of multiple waterborne pathogens in drinking water, drainage channels, and surface waters in Kampala, Uganda over seven months of seasonal variation

Longitudinal water quality monitoring is important for understanding seasonal variations in water quality, waterborne disease transmission, and future implications for climate change and public health. In this study, microfluidic quantitative PCR (MFQPCR) was used to assess the presence of human enteric pathogens in protected springs, a public tap, drainage channels, and surface water in Kampala, Uganda from November 2014 to May 2015. Because waterborne disease incidence in Uganda has been shown to increase during the wet seasons, we assessed the differences in relative abundance of multiple waterborne pathogens during the wet and dry seasons. All water sources tested contained multiple pathogens, with drainage channels and surface waters containing higher abundance over protected springs and the public tap. Pathogens detected included Enterohemorrhagic E. coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Vibrio cholerae, and Enterovirus. Drainage channels were found to be significantly more contaminated during the wet season compared to the dry season, whereas drinking water sources contained little to no seasonal variation. These results suggest that individual water source types respond uniquely to seasonal variability, and that human interaction with contaminated water sources, rather than direct ingestion, is a major contributor to waterborne disease transmission. These findings direct public health and climate change adaptation efforts towards sanitation, solid waste management, and education about water and food safety.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Environ Engr in Civil Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2016

Author dc:creator

• Sadik, Nora Jeanine

Contributors dc:contributor

• Nguyen, Thanh Helen

• waterborne pathogens
• Uganda
• Microfluidic qpcr
• Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR)

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2016 Nora Sadik

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/92860

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/92860