International Journal of Lakes and Rivers

Twenty water samples were collected during four successive seasons (January – November, 2003) from the area extending from El-Manyal to El-Mazallat, which represents the most crowded area with human population around the Nile. Determination of physical parameters (air and water temperatures, transparency, electrical conductivity, total solids and total suspended solids) and chemical parameters (pH, DO, COD, CO₃⁻, HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻, SO₄⁻, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻, NH³, PO₄⁻³, TP and SiO₂) were carried out to identify the River Nile water quality. The previous parameters showed slight variations during different seasons and at different stations. On the other hand, the bacteriological analyses included the total viable bacterial counts at 22 and 37°C and the bacterial indicators of water quality (total coliforms, faecal coliforms and faecal streptococci). Isolation and characterization of pathogenic bacteria were identified as E. coli, Enterococcus cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococccus faecium. Antibiotic susceptibility testing selected Sulperazone "Sulbactam + Cefoperazone" Gentamycin and Pipracillin as the most effective antimicrobial agents in the treatment of infections accomplished by isolated bacteria. With exception of Enterococcus faecium, Cefepime, Imepenem, Meropenem and Azetreonam were very effective, followed by Amikacin, Tobramycin and Neomycin. In contrast, Penicillin, Erythromycin and Vancomycin affected only the isolates of Enterococus faecium. Clarithromycin and Vanomycin, Clidamycin, Oxacillin and Refampin had no activity upon any of the isolates. It was noted that E. coli was resistant to beta-lactams and many of antimicrobial agents and hence referred to as Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactams (ESBL) producers.