The prevalence of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli isolates from fecal and water sources

The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence and track the sources of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli isolates of water sources. Water and fecal samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of E. coli isolates and antibiotic susceptibility using different biochemical testing methods. The results of the study showed that nearly 84.3% of the water sources were contaminated, where as half of these were within the range of a high risk specified by WHO. In addition, 76.9% of the water isolates exhibited multiple antibiotics resistance. Nonetheless, the majority of the isolates showed remarkable susceptibility for Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin and Cotrimoxazole antibiotics. There was a high correlation between water isolates with fecal isolates of different sources both in their profile as well as patterns of antibiotic resistance which implies that the water sources might have been contaminated with mixed contaminants originating from human and animal excreta. Awareness creation on water quality and sanitation together with construction of protected water sources should be encouraged to reduce the risk of water-borne diseases in the area. Appropriate antibiotic usage and public awareness creation activities are required to maintain the observed efficacy of the three antibiotics, ciprofloxacin, cotrimoxazole and norfloxacin, in the study area and in other parts of the country where any antibiotic drug resistance is not yet developed.