Isolation and identification of microorganisms in individuals associated with refuse disposal sites and collection centres in Awka metropolis, Nigeria

Introduction: Despite the attendant health risks inherent in waste dump sites, certain individuals make their living by foraging and packing the waste for survival. To isolate, characterize and identify pathogens associated with waste dump sites that may be of public health importance. Methods: A total of 280 samples were collected from the waste collectors, scavengers, and people living and trading around refuse dump sites, collection centers, and refuse dump sites in Awka Metropolis. The bacterial and fungal isolates were further subjected to pathogenicity testing using Wistar rats. Results: A total of 6 bacterial genera which included Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeriginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus subtilus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and 4 fungal genera namely Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucor spps and Candida albicans. The incidence of microbial isolates from different sampled groups prior to their work differed significantly (P < 0.05) when compared with the isolates during their work. It was also observed that the prevalence of different microorganisms isolated after daily activities was higher than that of those isolated before daily activities.