The Antibiotic Resistance profile of bacteria isolated from Rumuola pond water in the Port Harcourt
metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria was investigated. Total of 48 bacterial species were isolated on Nutrient Agar and a set
of selective diagnostic media. The isolates were identified as
Escherichia coli
,
Staphylococcus
sp.;
Shigella
sp.;
Klebsiella
sp.;
Vibrio
sp.; and
Salmonella
sp. The total culturable heterotrophic bacterial count (TCHB) and faecal coliform count
of the water samples ranged from 1.02 x 10
6 – 1.90 x 10
6cfu/ml and 3.70x 10
5 – 8.15x10
5cfu/ml respectively. The
sensitivity of the isolates from the water samples to 12 different antibiotics selected was ascertained on Muller-Hinton
agar using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The zone diameter obtained was interpreted using the Clinical
Laboratory Standard International (CLSI) and British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) zone diameter
breakpoints. Isolates were recorded as susceptible (S), intermediate susceptible (I) or resistant (R) based on the guidelines.
The level of resistance exhibited by the isolates to specific antibiotics used were; Lincocin 74.8%, Rifampicin 71.4%,
Augumentin 71.2%, Chloramphnicol 68.2%, Erythromycin 64.3%, Cotrimoxazole 55.8%, Streptomycin 50.2%,
Pefloxacin 48.6%, Gentamycin 43%, Norfloxacin 42.9%, Ofloxacin 16.2%, Ciprofloxacin 13%. The resistance to
Lincocin (74.8%) was the highest followed by Rifampicin (71.4%). The highest level of bacterial resistance pattern to
all tested antibiotics was observed in sites with highest human activities. The result showed multiple antibiotic resistance
patterns among the bacterial isolates suggesting a pool of resistance genes among isolates in the pond. Most of the bacterial
isolates are potential pathogens. Modern health services for effective disease management for this community would
include antibiotic/drug mapping for individuals.
