Association of metal tolerance with multiple antibiotic resistance of enteropathogenic organisms isolated from coastal region of deltaic Sunderbans.

A survey of microorganisms was conducted in four coastal regions of the deltaic Sunderbans. Among ten different isolates, three were enteropathogenic. They were Vibrio cholerae non-O1 (CT+), enterotoxinogenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These enteropathogens were able to grow in the presence of zinc (Zn++), cadmium (Cd++), lead (Pb++), cobalt (Co++), copper (Cu++), nickel (Ni++) and silver (Ag+) up to 10 mM concentration. They also showed resistance against 5 to 10 antibiotics. Metal tolerance and drug resistance were not determined by plasmid(s). Synthesis of outer membrane protein among the marine isolates was higher in presence of metal. Enteropathogens isolated from the deltaic Sunderbans were well adapted for growth of the saline environment with higher concentrations of toxic metals.