Asian Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

Artisanal gold mining and the resultant environmental degradation and health hazards have been a cause for public health concern. This, specifically as heavy metal contaminated environments have been pointed out as major players in the dissemination of resistant pathogens of public health concern. This study aimed to determine the phenotypic antibiotic resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from gold mine tailings in a community in Osun State, Nigeria. Bacteria were isolated from excavation soil samples using standard microbiological methods, with general-purpose and selective media.  Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Isolates recovered were identified and their zone of growth inhibition was determined. Of the 32 isolates identified, 100% were resistant to ceftriazone, and also 100% resistance respectively to oxacillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid by all the isolates tested, while 96.67% were resistant to ceftazidime. The isolates exhibited 12 phenotypic resistance pattern of which 100% were resistant to at least three types of antibiotics and over 45% MDR-multidrug resistance. These findings indicate a high frequency occurrence of antibiotic resistance in the goldmine tailings including multidrug resistant bacteria in the environment. Hence, this calls for the concerned stakeholders to take necessary measures in safeguarding the catchment community against this public health menace.