Metal and antibiotic cross-resistance among bacteria isolated from the Kentucky River
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Biomedical Sciences
Minor
Chemistry
Institution
Eastern Kentucky University
KY House District #
83
KY Senate District #
16
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Bill Staddon, PhD
Department
Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Little is known about metal and antibiotic cross resistance among bacteria in aquatic settings. Water samples were collected from six locations along the Kentucky River. Plate counting was used to quantify metal-resistant bacteria. Control and metal resistant isolates were transferred to plates containing antibiotics. Populations of cobalt, copper, silver, lead and chromium resistant bacteria were similar to the control. Cadmium and mercury resistant populations were significantly lower. Many isolates were resistant to ampicillin, cefamandole, sulfamethoxazole, penicillin, and vancomycin. Most inhibition of growth was seen with ciprofloxacin, doxycycline and rifampin. The results suggest there are much higher levels of metal resistance amongst the river bacterial isolates than expected.
Metal and antibiotic cross-resistance among bacteria isolated from the Kentucky River
Little is known about metal and antibiotic cross resistance among bacteria in aquatic settings. Water samples were collected from six locations along the Kentucky River. Plate counting was used to quantify metal-resistant bacteria. Control and metal resistant isolates were transferred to plates containing antibiotics. Populations of cobalt, copper, silver, lead and chromium resistant bacteria were similar to the control. Cadmium and mercury resistant populations were significantly lower. Many isolates were resistant to ampicillin, cefamandole, sulfamethoxazole, penicillin, and vancomycin. Most inhibition of growth was seen with ciprofloxacin, doxycycline and rifampin. The results suggest there are much higher levels of metal resistance amongst the river bacterial isolates than expected.