ASSOCIATION OF AEROMONAS-CAVIAE WITH SEWAGE POLLUTION

Aeromonas species were recovered from three rivers viz. Indus, Yamuna and Gomati over a period of 1-12 months. Around 94 ground water sources were also included in the study. Higher number of A.hydrophila (65.6%) were recovered from unpolluted waters of river Indus. In plains, significant number of A.caviae (30-40%) were recovered from polluted waters of rivers Yamuna and Gomati. In ground water sources polluted with sewage, A.caviae formed 37-68% of total aeromonads recovered. The findings indicate that A.caviae is a dominant species in waters contaminated by sewaqe and wastewater and thus potential indicator of sewage pollution.