ASSOCIATION OF METAL TOLERANCE WITH MULTIPLE ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANCE OFENTEROPATHOGENIC ORGANISMS ISOLATED FROM COASTAL REGION OF DELTAIC SUNDERBANS

A survey of microorganisms was conducted in four coastal regions of th e deltaic Sunderbans. Among ten different isolates, three were enterop athogenic. They were Vibrio cholerae non-O1 (CT+), enterotoxinogenic E scherichia coli (ETEC) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These enteropathoge ns were able to grow in the presence of zinc (Zn++), cadmium (Cd++), l ead (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 determin ed by plasmid(s). Synthesis of outer membrane protein among the marine isolates was higher in presence of metal. Enteropathogens isolated fr om the deltaic Sunderbans were well adapted for growth of the saline e nvironment with higher concentrations of toxic metals.