Case study reveals multidrug-resistant bacteria in contaminated environments, suggesting selective pressure from pollutants.
Key Points
Most multidrug-resistant bacteria were Gram negative and found at the industrial site, indicating severe faecal contamination.
A total of 42 MDR isolates from sediment and water were sequenced, with 87.5% of antibiotic-resistant bacteria also possessing metal resistance genes.
Selective agar plating successfully isolated MDR bacteria, showing the prevalence of genetic exchange in contaminated ecosystems.
High levels of pollutants, including mercury and copper, were found in sediments, highlighting industrial activities as major contributors to antimicrobial resistance.