Comparative Approach of Staphylococcus Abundance in 3 Different AquaticEnvironments in Kribi (Coastal Area, Cameroon, Central Africa), andPotential Role of Some Abiotic Factors
Authors:   Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Environment, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, PO Box 812., Ladibé Pélagie , Ewoti Olive Vivien Noah ,   Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Environment, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, PO Box 812., Koji Ernest ,   Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Environment, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, PO Box 812., Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon., Ndiva Thérèse Inès Bisse ,   Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Environment, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, PO Box 812., Far Bolivar Ndourwe ,   Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Environment, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, PO Box 812., Nana Paul Alain ,   Department of Oceanography and Limnology, Institute of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Douala, P.O.Box 7236, Douala, Cameroon, Bricheux Geneviève ,   Laboratoire « Microorganismes : Génome et Environnement », UMR CNRS 6023, Université Clermont Auvergne, Campus Universitaire des Cézeaux, 1 Impasse Amélie Murat CS 60026, 63178 Aubière Cedex, France, Sime-Ngando Télesphore ,   Laboratoire « Microorganismes : Génome et Environnement », UMR CNRS 6023, Université Clermont Auvergne, Campus Universitaire des Cézeaux, 1 Impasse Amélie Murat CS 60026, 63178 Aubière Cedex, France, Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans (LMV), UMR IRD 163. Campus Universitaire des Cézeaux, TSA 60026 – CS 60026, 63178 AUBIERE Cedex, France., Nola Moïse ,   Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Environment, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, PO Box 812.
Published: December 2024

A study to compare bacterial populations in sea, ground and stream waters and to assess the importance of some abiotic factors on these populations was carried out in the town of Kribi (on the Cameroonian coast) from January to March 2024. The bacteria sought were Aerobic Mesophilic Heterotrophic Bacteria (AMHB) and staphylococci. They were isolated using the surface spreading technique on Petri dishes on PCA media (Rapid Labs, ref CM-PCASP051) and the membrane filtration technique on Chapman mannitol medium (HIMEDIA, ref MH118-500G), for AMHB and staphylococci respectively. Isolated bacteria were identified by standard methods. Some abiotic parameters were measured using standard analytical techniques. These analyses showed that the abiotic variables varied overall from one sampling period to the next and from one point to the next. It was noted that the water was neutral with low mineral content. The high nitrogen values recorded at all the sampling points attest to the high organic matter content of the water analyzed. Bacteriological analyses revealed that the water contains a high-density bacterial microflora consisting of AMHB and bacteria of the Staphylococcus genus. The average densities of AMHB in log (CFU/100 mL) were 5.62, 5.86 and 5.30 in groundwater, stream waters and seawaters respectively. The waters of this coastal area of Cameroon are populated by Staphylococcus species, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, with mean densities of 2.66 (log (CFU/100 mL)), 3.30 (log (CFU/100 mL)) and 5, 36 (log (CFU/100 m)) for Staphylococcus aureus and 1.66 (log (CFU/100mL)), 1.06 (log (CFU/100mL)) and 5.02 ( log (CFU/100 mL)) for Staphylococcus epidermidis in groundwater, stream waters and seawaters respectively. Comparatively, the densities of staphylococci in seawaters were more abundant and diverse than those in groundwater and stream waters. The deterioration in the quality of these coastal waters seems to be encouraged by their proximity to point sources of pollution linked to discharges of ballast water without prior treatment. These waters are therefore not recommended for human consumption according to WHO standards.