This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of wastewater treatment\nprocesses on the prevalence of antibiotic resistance fecal coliform (FC) and\nantibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) of FC. In addition, the occurrence of antibiotic\nresistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in surface\nwaters receiving wastewater was evaluated. Greater resistance against penicillin\n(P), colisitin (CT) and ampicillin (AMP) were observed for FC isolated\nfrom effluent disinfected by chlorine (71%), than that disinfected by UV\n(45%). The greatest resistance against six antibiotics was recorded for FC isolates\nfrom effluent disinfected by chlorine. The prevalence of tetB and blaSHV\nwas lowest in isolates from chlorine-disinfected effluents. The occurrence of\nARG blaSHV was highest in FC isolated from effluent disinfected by UV. A\nsignificant correlation was recorded between FC levels in surface waters and\nthe level of bacterial resistance to ampicillin (P < 0.05) and to chloramphenicol\n(P < 0.05). AmpC and blaPSE1 were more prevalent than blaSHV in effluents\nand in surface waters. TetA and tetC were highly prevalent in surface\nwater compared to tetB. The results of the study demonstrate the widespread\nprevalence of ARB and ARG in wastewater and receiving water bodies. The\nresult indicates that the source of ARB and ARG in surface waters originate\nfrom wastewater. Released ARB and ARG may serve as the source of ARG to\npathogenic bacteria in surface waters. Disinfection processes may influence the\nselection of antibiotic resistant patterns of bacteria.
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