Multiple antibiotic resistances in metal tolerant E. coli from hospital waste water

Study of antibiotic resistance was done among the metal tolerant E. coli isolates from hospital wastewater at Lucknow city. Metaltolerance was determined in terms of visible growth on metal amended plates at their varying concentrations. MICs were alsodetermined among all metal tolerant E. coli isolates. All the isolates showed their MIC in between 100-2000 µg/ml while maximumisolates demonstrated their MICs at 400, 800 and 1600 µg/ml against all the metal tested. 23.07% of the isolates showed their MIC at2000 µg/ml against Ni³⁺. Multiple antibiotic resistances were recorded among all the metal resistant E.coli isolates. A high level ofresistance was observed against Methicillin (86.53%) followed by penicillin (73.07%), Cephradin (57.69%), Rifampicin (34.61%),Erythromycin (26.92%), Nalidixic acids (25%), Chloramphenicol (3.84%) and least to Gentamycine (1.92%). Streptomycin wasrecorded most effective against E.coli isolates among the entire antibiotic tested. Antimicrobial resistance observed among thebacteria from the aquatic system contaminated with hospital wastes may be threatful for the environment and public health both.