Molecular Classification and Antimicrobial Profiles of Chlorination-Resistant Escherichia Coli at Wastewater Treatment Plant in the North West Province of South Africa

Abstract The resistance of different pathogenic variants E. coli to antibiotics, is a health concern globally. study assessed the 90 isolates that survived chlorination at Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in North West, South Africa (NW-SA), 12 antibiotics using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. further diarrheagenic pathotypes origin isolates. molecular characterization revealed ranged as follows: Enteroaggregative (EAEC) 16 (17.78%), Enteroinvasive (EIEC) 6 (6.67%), Enterotoxigenic (ETEC) 5 (5.56%) and Enteropathogenic (EPEC) 3 (3.33%). A high degree was observed against sulphamethoxazol (92.22%), while lower Kanamycin (3.33%), chloramphenicol ciprofloxacin (6.67%). Multiple drug three more 81.11% detected showed multiple studied with Antibiotic Resistance Indexing (MARI) equal 0.9 for EIEC EAEC respectively, followed by ETEC 0.8 EPEC 0.2. reveals wastewater effluent from plant serves an important reservoir distribution antibiotic resistant other potential pathogens aquatic milieu, thus confirming risk public health.