Detail Publikasi
Abstrak
Industrially emitted effluents have been recognized to be one of the major sources for environmental pollution, releasing chemicals, nutrients, and traces of antibiotics into water bodies. In this regard, this study examined the role of industrial pollution in antibiotic resistance among Pseudomonas spp. isolated from surface water in the Tigris River, specifically in Baghdad’s industrial area. A total of 80 water samples were obtained for a period of one year from four locations (S1-S4), which were selected based on variations in levels of pollution caused by industries, as well as agricultural activities. Phenotypic analysis was employed for identifying, characterizing, and differentiating isolated Pseudomonas spp. Sensitivity tests performed among antibiotics have shown resistance rates to be high for Piperacillin (78%), Ceftazidime (65%), Ciprofloxacin (60%), and Tetracycline antibiotics (55%), but low for Imipenem (21%). A resistance rate of 93.75% for combinations involving two or more antibiotics, as well as 52% for six or more antibiotics, has been observed. Additionally, Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Index (MARI) has been observed to exceed 0.2 for all locations, with S2 having the highest MARI value (0.51), which is an area where industries release their highest amounts of waste. Correlation analysis has shown a positive relationship for all locations between MARI values, Total Nitrogen (TN), Total Phosphorus (TP), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Turbidity (TUR), Turbidity (TUR), but an inverse relationship for pH. Phylogenetic analysis has provided evidence for resistance levels among isolated groups A and B1 in highly polluted areas. In conclusion, selective pressures caused by industries, as well as agricultural activities, have increased MDR levels among environmental isolates. Heat map analysis, along with plot analysis, has provided evidence for a positive relationship between levels of environmental pollution and antibiotic resistance. These observations have clearly provided evidence that Pseudomonas spp. can be considered an ideal bioindicator for industrial pollution, emphasizing an immediate need for efficient approaches for managing industrial water waste, which could otherwise pose serious threats to environmental, as well as human, health due to increased levels of MDR bacteria.