ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE AMONG GRAM POSITIVE ISOLATES FROM AN AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Since past few years resistance to antibiotics in microorganisms is presenting a challenge to infection control. Rate of fatality is continuously increasing because of less effectiveness of majority of antibiotics. The aim of this study was to gather information on the presence of antibiotic resistance in gram positive isolates from samples of wells, boreholes, handpumps and treated and untreated drinking water in Nasik city of Maharashtra state of India. Where the isolates were screened for susceptibility against 12 antibiotics such as Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin, Calithromycin, Cefotaxime, Sparfloxacin, Cefuroxime, Cefoperazone, Ampiclox, Cefadroxil, Roxythromycin, Gentamicin and Azithromycin using disc diffusion method. Based on the results obtained, identification of susceptible gram-positive cocci shaped organisms was carried out by using standard key and Bergeys manual of determinative bacteriology. Total five different Gram-positive cocci shaped organisms were identified. Where 34 percent isolates were belonging to genera Streptococcus and Micrococcus while 66 % isolates were belonging to genus Staphylococcus. These isolates showed multiple resistance (to two or more antibiotics). 95.95% isolates of Gram-positive cocci shaped organisms showed highest resistance to Ampiclox followed by 59.09% isolates show resistance to Cefuroxime and near about 40-45 % to Calithromycin, less than that to Cefotaxime, Roxythromycin, Cefadroxil, and near about 18 -30% to Gentamycin, Azithromycin, Sparfloxacin and Cefaperazone. About 5-10% to Amikacin and Ciprofloxacin. Staphylococcus was found to be most resistant organism among all isolates. It was found resistant to 85 % antibiotics under testing, followed by species of Micrococcus. Open water wells as well as bore wells are more contaminated but surprisingly in treated water of municipal supply antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus spp. Observed prominantly.