Assessment of the presence of Vibrio cholera and detection of toxigenic Vibrio cholerae in river sources within the Vhembe District Municipality Limpopo province of South Africa

Abstract

Most rivers in South Africa, particularly in rural areas, are contaminated and serve as a breeding ground for potential disease-causing microorganisms such as Vibrio cholera. Contaminated river sources could endanger the health of those communities that rely on them for domestic, agricultural, and recreational purposes. The aim of the study was to examine the presence of V. cholera and toxigenic V. cholera water samples from river sources collected in the Vhembe Municipal District during a three-month period. Physicochemical parameters, culture dependent and molecular techniques were used to identify V. cholerae in the samples. Majority of the physiochemical parameters were within the acceptable limit with exception of electrical conductivity readings in the Mvudi, Livuvhu, Dzindi, Nzhelele, Mutale, Shingwedzi, Tshinane and Nwedi rivers which were above the acceptable standard limit of 0–70 μS/cm. Most of the river samples tested positive for the presence of V. cholera, particularly on the downstream samples. Toxigenic V. cholerae was detected in four of the 12 samples that originally tested positive for V. cholera. The study revealed poor water quality and significant health concerns to consumers, emphasizing the importance of implementing river basin management measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of these rivers.