Asian Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern refers to the ability of microorganisms to grow in the presence of an antimicrobial agent at a concentration that will normally kill or inhibit their growth. Antimicrobial resistance has become a major global threat, making treatment of infections tougher, especially with the high cost of treatment in humans and animals. This study was done to determine the Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern and Multiple Antibiotic resistance index (MARI) of bacteria isolated from Elechi Creek. Two hundred and ten (210) samples were collected from five (5) points along the creek for a period of six (6) months. Bacterial Isolates were identified by standard microbiological methods. The isolates identified were Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Vibrio sp., Proteus sp., Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella sp. and Providencia sp. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out using the disc diffusion technique. The organisms were tested against Cefuroxime, Gentamicin, Ceftriaxone, Erythromycin, Cloxacillin, Ofloxacin, and Augmentin for gram-positive Isolates. Cefuroxime, Gentamicin, Cefixime, Ofloxacin, Augmentin, Nitrofurantoin, Ciprofloxacin for gram-negative isolates. The isolates obtained showed 100% resistance to ceftazidine, cefuroxime, augmentin and cefixine. The MARI values ranged from 0.4 to 0.8 amongst the isolates. These results suggest that bacterial organisms isolated from Elechi Creek can contribute significantly to the spread of multi-antibiotic-resistant organisms. This could arise from indiscriminate use, causing an increased number of antibiotic-resistant strains in organisms. The study recommends close monitoring of antibiotic resistance in our environment and controlled use of antibiotics within the creek environment since the water serves as a source of domestic activity.