Evaluation of resistance to antibiotics and heavy metals in bacterial isolates from the almendares river

Abstract

The environment is constantly subject to progressive deterioration due to the increase in domestic and industrial waste, which generates high levels of chemical and biological pollution. In particular, contamination by chemical compounds includes metals and drugs, the latter are considered among the so-called emerging pollutants. These toxic substances released, mainly due to anthropogenic activities, have contributed to the degradation of ecosystems, which consequently affects human health. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics by the populations, as well as the supply of these in farms and veterinary clinics has led to more and more effects on the quality of soils and aquifers. Among the consequences of the release of antibiotics, even in small amounts, is the elimination or death of most of the microorganisms with which they interact, among which are microorganisms of clinical or environmental importance. On the other hand, the strong selective pressure exerted by these antimicrobial agents has contributed to a significant increase in microorganisms with resistance to multiple drugs. This resistance is encoded chromosomally or in one or more plasmids, which have played an important role in the spread of resistance to these drugs.