ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Prevalence of Antibiotic-Resistant Airborne
Bacteria along Roadsides in Rahim Yar Khan,
Pakistan
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1
Chemistry Department, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, – 63100, Pakistan
2
Department of Occupational Health, Faculty of Public Health and Health Informatics,
Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Submission date: 2017-12-20
Final revision date: 2018-03-06
Acceptance date: 2018-03-20
Online publication date: 2018-11-16
Publication date: 2019-01-28
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2019;28(3):1295-1303
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ABSTRACT
The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant airborne bacteria was examined at seven different localities
along the urban roads of Rahim Yar Khan. Airborne bacteria from the respiratory zone were sampled
three times a day and five times a year using gravity deposition on nutrient agar plates. Six antibiotics –
ampicillin, penicillin, streptomycin, clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone – were used to screen
antibiotic-resistant airborne bacteria. In this study, antibiotic-resistant airborne bacteria were detected at
all sampling sites, with the highest antibiotic resistance observed in a residential area (RA). The airborne
bacteria showed maximum resistance to streptomycin. The airborne bacteria of winter season were more
resistant (43%) to tested antibiotics than airborne bacteria of any other season. These results specify that
the pollutant exposure risk factor is different at each sampling site because of the potential contribution
of various point sources. These findings of the study will be helpful to public health professionals
and policy makers to develop effective interventions to combat adverse health impacts of bio-aerosols on
the local population.