Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern Of Escherichia Coli Isolated From Waste Water In Umuahia

ABSTRACT

The antibiotic susceptibility pattern of E.coli in waste water from Umuahia Metropolis was investigated. A total of 17 (85%) E.coli were isolated from the waste water samples. All 17 isolates were subjected to antibiotics susceptibility test using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. A total of 12 antibiotic discs namely; Ceftazidime (30mg), Cefuroxime (30mg), Gentamicin (10mg), Ciprofloxacin (5mg), Ofloxacin (5mg), Augumentin (30mg), Nitrofurantoin (300mg), Ampicillin (10mg) Imipenem (10mg), Menopenem (10mg), Aztreonam (30mg) and Ceftriaxone (30mg) were used. The E.coli isolates showed highest susceptibility to both Gentamicin and Ofloxacin (41.1%), followed by Ceftriaxone 76.5%. Also 17 (100%) of the isolates were found to be multi drug resistant (MDR). The E.coli isolates were screened for ESBLs in accordance to the CLSI breakpoint and 17(100) were positive. On subjecting the 17CLSI positive isolates to double disc synergy test (DDST), 12 (70.6%) were confirmed to be ESBL producers. This result shows that waste waters found in Umuahia Metropolis could serve as a reservoir for antibiotic resistant E.coli.