Characterization and antibiotic resistance profile of pathogenic bacteria from drinking and surface water in Odisha

Abstract

The study was aimed at identifying pathogenic bacteria from various water sources, such as drinking water distribution channels, groundwaters, and various surface water bodies. The water samples were analyzed for their physicochemical parameters and analyzed for the presence of both fecal coliforms and nonfermentors, including Aeromonas and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Most of the isolates were multiple antibiotic resistant (MAR), and the organisms tested were resistant to cefoperazone/sulbactam (CFS), cefuroxime (CXM), norfloxacin (NX) and cefepime/tazobactam (CPT). All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone (CTR), and fecal coliforms and Pseudomonas spp. were susceptible to imipenem/cilastatin (IC) and ceftazidime (CAZ). Moreover, the findings indicate multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) and high-level resistance to antibiotics in nonfermentors, such as Aeromonas and Pseudomonas spp. These organisms have a high prevalence in surface water bodies and a high potential to form biofilms in pipelines. Therefore, it has become important to include these bacteria in the surveillance of the water quality index. We found 13.33% nonfermentors in our study. Since contamination of drinking water can occur at the source or during supply, the exact cause needs to be explored. In our study, we tried to determine the extent of bacterial contamination in various sources, with alarming findings for surface water, supply water, bore wells, and tube wells, which yielded 100%, 80%, 40%, and 20% positive results, respectively.