Antibiotic Susceptibility Of Commensal Escherichia Coli From Cow Dung-Contaminated Stream Water Around Michael Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.:- Onuekwusi, Shallom U

ABSTRACT ix were media, gram staining and several Contamination ofwater by bacteria is one ofthe leading causes ofimpairment in the world. While many bacteria occur naturally in the environment and are an important component of many ecosystem processes, some are of concern because they may cause diseases,_Escherichia coll is a ubiquitous gut microorganism which forms part ofthe natural flora ofthe gastrointestinal system. This study is aimed at evaluating the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of commensal Escherichia coli fi-om cow dung contaminated stream water around Michael Okpara University ofAgriculture, Uniudikc. In this study three (3) samples of cow dung contaminated stream water were examined, and Escherichia coli was isolated. The mean E. coli count of cow dung contaminated stream water samples ranged from 3.5 xio6 to 1.3 xlO7 with sample 2 having the highest count of 1.3x 1()7 followed by sample 1 with a mean count of 5.3x 1(/ while sample 3 had the lowest count of 3.5x106.The cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristic of E. coli strains identified by morphological characteristics, pigmentation on biochemical tests such as Citrate utilization, Voges-Proskauer (VP) test, Methyl Red (MR) test, Indole production, Oxidase, Catalase, and Coagulase test as the most special tests to identify it. The antibiotics susceptibility pattern of the E. coli isolates from cow dung contaminated stream waler. Most isolates were sensitive to Streptomycin (66.6%), Ofloxacin(33.3%) Septrin (33.3%), Chloramphenicol (100%), Augmentin (66.7%), Ampiclox (33.3%) and Amoxicillin (33.3%) and resistant to Gentaiuycin (0%) and Ciprofloxacin (0%). Regular and continuous monitoring of antibiotic susceptibility of the Escherichia coli isolates is necessary to control antimicrobial resistance.