MOLECULAR TYPING OF CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS AND CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE FROM SALAD AND DRINKING WATER OF QUETTA

Abstract

Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium dif-ficile are significantly important pathogens due to their ability of causing various diseases in animals and human beings. Samples (n=100) including wa-ter (n = 50) and salad (n = 50) were collected from households and retail shops of Quetta city. The samples were processed for pathogen isolation by culturing and preliminary conformed with the help of biochemical profiling. Molecular conformation was done through PCR. Out of the total samples, 22% (22/100) were found positive for the presence of C. perfringens whereas, C. difficile was found in 11% (11/100) samples. The overall incidence of C. perfringens was higher in water samples (34%) in comparison to salad samples (10%), the difference was statistically significant (p=0.004). C. difficile was detected in 6% salad and 16% water samples. However, the difference in the prevalence of C. difficile was non-significant between the water and salad samples (p=0.110). This study reveals that the microbiological quality of drinking water and vegetables (salads) in developing countries needs improvement in order to control the food borne pathogens and associated health risks.