Environmental Studies on Antibiotic Resistance Bacteria in Some Locations Along The River Nile

Abstract

Water quality of the whole Nile sectors was evaluated through monitoring of physicochemical and bacteriological pollution indicators. Correlation between physicochemical and bacteriological parameters revealed that the bacteriological parameters have their own significance. A total of 1040 isolates of standard plate count (SPC) bacteria were isolated from the four sectors of the River Nile (Lake Nassau, Main River Nile, Rossetta and Damietta branches). All isolates were identified and tested for their resistance to nine antibiotics commonly used in Egypt. Generic distribution of the bacterial isolates from the whole River Nile sectors showed that Aeromonas and Bacillus were the maximum amongst all other genera recovered in spite of the differences in the degree of pollution in each sector. Incidence of antibiotic resistant bacteria amongst the bacterial isolates showed gradual increase recorded as 33%, 48%, 63% and 69% in Lake Nasser, main River Nile, Damietta and Rossetta branches respectively. ARI in the four sectors of the River Nile found to be 0.17, 0.28, 0.33 and 0.37 respectively. Acinetobacter isolates recorded the highest values of ARI amongst the isolated bacterial genera. Among the resistant isolates, resistance to ampicillin and penicillin were predominated. The antibiotic resistant patterns of SPC bacterial isolates in different sectors of the Nile were correlated well. The fate of antibiotic resistant bacteria found in Nile water were evaluated after treatment of water in conventional water treatment plant and in tap water. The results showed higher increase in the percentages of bacterial resistant to antibiotics in outlet treated water and in tap water compared to that found in raw water. Bacteriological quality and prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in underground drinking water in some Egyptian rural area were evaluated. Well site played an important role in avoiding contamination in underground water. High level of antibiotic resistant bacteria (70%) were found and the integrated ARI for the whole underground water area was calculated as 0.45 indicating high risk pollution sources in this area.