Research

As the national university, we champion and support innovative research that addresses the country’s most pressing challenges.

12 Nov 2025

Some communities in Los Baños, Laguna still face challenges in accessing safe and clean drinking water

Due to rising costs or the inaccessibility of commercial water, many rural communities rely on artesian well (“poso”) water as...

Read More

11 Nov 2025

Walkability in urban cities should also consider the varying accessibility needs of people of all ages

Cities are meant to be places where people can easily access everything they need within a short walk or bike...

Read More

24 Oct 2025

A new approach to volunteerism encourages schools to treat volunteer activities as long-term commitments

This research explored the motivations of students as a basis for deeper and more meaningful engagement among educational institutions in...

Read More

23 Oct 2025

Gay and bisexual teachers in rural schools need clear policies that protect LGBT educators

This research explored the experiences of gay and bisexual teachers working in rural schools in the Philippines. It involved interviews...

Read More

22 Oct 2025

Fishing communities in Taliptip, Bulakan face risks from natural hazards and the New Manila International Airport project

The New Manila International Airport (NMIA), currently under construction in Taliptip, Bulakan along the shores of Manila Bay, is intended...

Read More

21 Oct 2025

Advanced optical correlation and interferometry techniques can enhance our understanding of earthquake hazards

In the Philippines, studying earthquakes usually involves using techniques like interferometry, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), waveform modeling, and field...

Read More

17 Oct 2025

Researchers build a portable, low-cost reflectance sensor for crop health monitoring

Precision agriculture is improving agricultural processes. Various sensors have been developed, such as spectral reflectance and transmittance sensors, multispectral canopy...

Read More

16 Oct 2025

There is a deep connection between a person’s belief and the evidence that supports it

This paper presents a way to define and test whether someone is justified in holding a belief, using an example...

Read More

15 Oct 2025

Neurosurgery residents outperform ChatGPT in answering board examination-like questions

Large language models such as ChatGPT have been used in different fields of medical education. This study aimed to review...

Read More

13 Oct 2025

Those who start smoking at a younger age are likely to become more frequent and heavier smokers later in life

Understanding the relationship between age at smoking initiation and later smoking intensity is crucial for assessing future health consequences of...

Read More

08 Oct 2025

Study finds significant gaps in menstrual hygiene management across six global cities, including Manila

The study “Exploring the Availability and Accessibility of Menstrual Friendly Public Toilets (MFPTs) in Urban Spaces” examines public toilet facilities...

Read More

24 Sep 2025

Supplements can enhance the textural and nutritional qualities of rice

This study looked at how adding supplements like rapeseed oil, dried wasabi powder, and dried chili pepper powder changes the...

Read More

Research

Due to rising costs or the inaccessibility of commercial water, many rural communities rely on artesian well (“poso”) water as their primary water source. But because artesian well waters are not treated and are often not tested regularly, they may be contaminated with microorganisms that could cause diseases, including those resistant to antibiotics.

This study looked at artesian well water samples from selected barangays in Los Baños, Laguna to check for Escherichia coli, a bacterium often linked to fecal contamination. Of the 30 water samples, eight have exhibited fecal contamination, three of which were identified as contaminated by E. coli. When the E. coli isolates were tested for antibiotic resistance, it was found that they were resistant to antibiotics, with one isolate resistant to four antibiotics used in this study. This resistance is linked to a specific gene called TEM gene, which gives resistance to a group of antibiotics known as beta-lactams. The study also revealed that 10 households used the water sample from which an antibiotic-resistant E. coli was detected as drinking water.

With this, it is imperative to educate the community about the risks associated with consuming contaminated water. More importantly, regular monitoring of artesian well waters and providing access to safe drinking water by local government units are recommended.

This study aims to raise awareness of the presence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria in water sources such as artesian well waters, specifically E. coli, which is an indicator of fecal contamination. MDR bacteria increase the risk of contracting diseases that are harder to treat, thus posing a significant public health concern. Moreover, MDR bacteria present in water sources may further spread resistance to other bacteria, making it more challenging to control their spread. Thus, this study sheds light on the importance of water sources that are safe for daily consumption and the role of local government units and organizations in monitoring the quality of water in communities.

Authors: Marian Jean T. Panganiban (Microbiology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Ivan Raden A. Rosario (St. Luke’s College of Medicine, Sta. Ignaciana St., Cathedral Heights, Quezon City) and Noel G. Sabino (Microbiology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Read the full paper: https://philjournalsci.dost.gov.ph/multidrug-resistant-escherichia-coli-from-artesian-well-waters-in-los-banos-laguna-the-philippines/