Anthropogenic Activities as a Source of High Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in the River Ganga

The presence, distribution and antibiotic profile of staphylococci was determined in River Ganga in Uttarakhand region (India). A total of 128 staphylococcal strains were obtained from 32 sites which corresponded to three species namely S. aureus, S. hominis and S. aegilis. S. aureus dominated the staphylococcal population comprising of 68.75% of the total staphylococci. The sensitivity of staphylococcal isolates against twelve antibiotics was determined. Majority of the isolates were resistant for erythromycin, while 17.6 % of S. aureus were resistant to methicillin. Interestingly, 93% of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was observed to be in the lower regions of river Ganga of Uttarakhand, facing severe anthropological activities. Water of the River Ganga is extensively used for drinking, religious bathing and cleaning purposes. However, the presence of pathogenic multiple drug resistant staphylococci indicate that direct consumption of untreated Ganga water and bathing in this stretch poses a great health risk.