Abstract: Antibacterial-resistant pathogens are serious threat worldwide. The
presence of drug-resistant bacteria in environmental samples has important
implications for people living in the area who are reliant on public water and
sanitation facilities. Detection of faecal indicator bacteria in water provides
a very sensitive method of quality assessment. This study was designed to
compare the prevalence of gram-negative bacteria circulating in sewer lines of
Aligarh region at an interval of every four to five years. This study was
conducted in the department of Microbiology, JN Medical College and Hospital
over a period of fourteen years. Trends of antimicrobial susceptibility were
assessed over this period. Isolates resistant to any of the 3rd generation
cephalosporins were also evaluated for the presence of extended spectrum
β-lactamases, Amp-C and metallo-β-lactamases. Escherichia coli was
the commonest coliform isolated throughout the 14-year study period.
Polymicrobial growth was more common in 2005 and 2013. Increase in the
antimicrobial resistance was noted among the bacterial strains isolated in the
last eight years of study. Isolation of ESBL and Amp-C producing bacterial
isolates in sewage waters was the most alarming finding. Circulation of
antimicrobial resistant bacteria in the environment is an alarming indicator of
the rampant use of antibiotics. It is suggested that periodic surveys should be
done to study the prevalence and susceptibility pattern of environmental water
samples.
Keywords: Sewage water, coliform, drug resistance, ESBL, Amp-C, MBL
