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International Conference on

Recent Trends in Environmental Sustainability

ESCON22/SAgri/24
Antimicrobial resistance profile of E. coli isolated from soil samples of shrublands of
Margalla Hills National Park

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Amna Kainat , Muhammad Idrees *, Zeenat Haq
1 Department of Biosciences, University of Wah
Correspondence: idreesalvi@gmail.com
Abstract

Widespread antibiotic resistance has been recognized in Escherichia coli isolates from human,
animal, and environmental sources. Although prevalence rates for resistant E. coli strains are
significantly distinct for various populations and environments, the impact of resistance to
antimicrobial drugs is ubiquitous. E. coli is a type of bacteria that normally lives in the intestine.
This study was conducted to understand antimicrobial resistance profile of E. coli prevailing
in soil of Margalla hills. Soil samples (n = 21) from different locations of Margalla Hills were
used for bacterial cultures. Gram staining and standard biochemical tests were used for
preliminary identification of pure bacterial isolates. Antimicrobial resistance of non-repetitive
E. coli isolates was determined against standard antibiotics including Penicillin, Oxacillin,
Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, Ampicillin, Azithromycin, Piperacillin, Gentamicin, Colistin,
Rifampin, Vancomycin, Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, Ciprofloxacin, Erythromycin,
Imipenem, Linezolid, Chloramphenicol, Cefuroxime, Cefotaxime, Fusiderm and Tobramycin
by disc diffusion, MIC and MBC method. Data was analyzed by using standard biostatistical
methods. The results of our study indicate that E. coli isolates from soil samples of Margalla
Hills National Park have moderate (30 to 60%) prevalence of antimicrobial resistance against
the studied antibiotics. On the basis of our results, we recommend that exposure of these
naturally occurring isolates to man-made antibiotic and antimicrobial agents should be avoided
or minimized in future to preserve their antimicrobial susceptibility and to inhibit their possible
risk to human health.
Keywords: E. coli, Pakistan; Margalla Hills; Soil; Antimicrobial Resistance.

Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus

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