Screening for Plasmid-Mediated Multidrug Resistant Bacteria in Ikpoba River Water Samples

The abuse and extensive use of antimicrobial agents by humans may increase resistant bacteria populations in the aquatic environment. The discharge of untreated wastewater into rivers and other non-point sources of pollution have led to the antibiotic resistant bacteria in the environment, particularly in surface waters. Studies on river water pollution and their implication to public health has been ongoing. Screening for multi-drug resistant bacterial status of Ikpoba River in Benin City, Nigeria was carried out using standard microbiological and physicochemical procedures. The bacteria isolated from the river water samples were E. coli, Salmonella sp, Vibrio sp, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus faecalis. The antibiotics susceptibility testing of the isolates revealed a multi-drug resistant status for Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis. The plasmid profile of these multi-drug resistant isolates was determined and results revealed that both isolates harboured plasmid of size 4.5kb. Antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates when cured of plasmid revealed loss of resistance to over 75% of the antibiotics they were originally resistant to. The microbial and physicochemical properties of the river showed that it is unfit for human consumption. The Plasmid mediated multidrug resistant status of some of the isolates is a threat to chemotherapy and is a cause for public health concern