Antibiotic resistance in coliform and faecal coliform bacteria from natural waters and effluents

Coliform and faecal coliform bacteria isolated from potable water supplies (springs and wells), streams, seawater, and effluents were examined for the incidence of antibiotic resistance. More than 40% of the coliform and faecal coliform bacteria isolated from drinking water supplies were resistant to one or more antibiotics. In stream and seawater samples, the incidence was increased to more than 60%, and to more than 70% among faecal coliforms isolated from effluents. Approximately 40% of the isolates resistant to streptomycin or tetra‐cycline were able to transfer their resistance determinants to an antibiotic‐sensitive strain of Escherichia coli within 2 h.

Although the widespread use of antibiotics is perhaps the major selective force favouring the increased incidence of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria, antibiotic‐resistant faecal coliforms may also have a selective advantage in natural waters.