Bacteriophages Can Make a Difference in Water Quality: Evidence From a Community-Based Study From North India

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Pediatric infectious diseases

Background:

• Diarrhoea significantly contributes to under-five mortality and impacts child development.
• Bacteriophages show potential in preventing diarrhoea, with their presence possibly influencing disease extent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess bacteriophage status and water quality (using Most Probable Number count) in drinking water for children under five.
• To determine the association between diarrhoea incidence, bacteriophage presence, and drinking water quality in rural Varanasi.

Main Methods:

• A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Varanasi's Chiraigaon block.
• Water samples were collected and analyzed for bacteriophage presence and quality in the Department of Microbiology.

Main Results:

• Bacteriophages were detected in 118 water samples; specific bacteriophages for E. coli, Klebsiella, and Vibrio were found in 81.1%, 53.8%, and 25.8% of samples, respectively.
• Highly satisfactory water quality was observed in 41.7% of samples, with all such samples containing bacteriophages. Unsatisfactory water quality was noted in 15.2% of samples.
• Diarrhoea incidence was 57.14% in samples without bacteriophages versus 24.5% in samples with bacteriophages (p<0.01), with an odds ratio of 4.09.

Conclusions:

• The odds of diarrhoea are four times higher in drinking water samples lacking bacteriophages compared to those containing them.
• Bacteriophage presence in drinking water is associated with reduced diarrhoea incidence in children under five.
• Further research on bacteriophages for diarrhoea prevention and health risk assessment in children is warranted.