DETECTION OF BACTERIOPHAGES AGAINST ESKAPE GROUP OF NOSOCOMIAL PATHOGENS FROM GANGA RIVER WATER DURING COMMUNITY BATH AT VARIOUS RITUALS: SINCE 2013–2019

Abstract

Introduction: Several species of bacterial contaminants are at the high level in river Ganga water but question arises that, why Ganga water is not spoiled even left for long time and answer is a presence of biological components including bacteriophage and bioactive component such as nanoparticles. Objective: In the present study our aim was to detect bacteriophages of resistant microbes such as ESKAPE group of nosocomial and S. Typhi. from different Ganga water samples collected on different rituals. Material & Methods: This study started since 2013 and completed in 2020. As per study design water sample from different places (Prayagraj, Mirzapur and Varanasi) and sites were collected. A total 210 strains (30 each) of Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), Acinetobacter baumanii (A. baumannii), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Escherichia coli (E. coli) ( Called as ESKAPE group) and additionally S. Typhi were identified from the in 500 clinical samples. These identified strains were processed for their biochemical test microscopy and antibiotic sensitivity for its conformation. Confirmed ESKAPE and S. Typhi strains were used for lawn culture. The bacteriophages were isolated from the collected Ganga water samples by using the double layer agar assay method. Results and Discussion: Bacteriophages were observed in the form of plaques on the bacterial lawn culture. Among 210 strains (30 each) of E. faecium, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, E. coli and S. Typhi  total 52 phages were detected in the form of plaques on the bacterial lawn culture. Maximum no of phage sensitivity were identified with E. coli (13) then in S. aureus (11). Eight phages of ware specific to S. Typhi and seven were specific to P. aeruginosa and how ever in six phages are specific to K. pneumoniae and E. faecium. Minimum no of phage sensitivity were identified with A. baumanii (1). Conclusion:  Our study concludes that Ganga water is a huge source of above detected bacteriophages among all possible natural sources with full of diversity. This is development of a phage bank, which will be useful for bacteriophage therapy in near future.