A recent study has confirmed the presence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) in the drinking water at various restaurants, tea stalls, food carts, and diagnostic centres across Chattogram city, posing serious public health concerns.

The study titled "Screening and identification of multiple antibiotic-resistant genes containing Salmonella Typhi from drinking water: A severe public health concern in Bangladesh" was conducted by Professor AM Masudul Azad Chowdhury of Chittagong University's genetic engineering and biotechnology department, its assistant professor Sohana Akter Mina, and three students—Pabitra Debnath, AKM Zakir Hossain, and Md Zahid Hasan.

Set for publication in the UK-based journal Heliyon's 10th volume on November 30, the research article is currently available online.

Around 150 drinking water samples—39 from restaurants and tea stalls; 31 from hospitals and diagnostic centres; 50 from various households; and 30 from vendor shops—were analysed during the study.

Salmonella Typhi, a bacterium that causes typhoid fever, was found present in eight (5.33 percent) of the total samples. Of them, over 87 percent were multidrug-resistant, posing a serious threat to locals and visitors, said Masudul Azad, who led the study.

Although important antibiotics such as co-trimoxazole and ciprofloxacin (used to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, and infections of the urinary tract, ears, 

and intestines) were still effective, several microorganisms were detected to be in the process of developing resistance to these drugs, he mentioned.

"MDR bacteria share resistance genes with other bacteria, which spread rapidly in the environment, mainly through food and water," said Prof Azad, adding that the organisms will disseminate uncontrollably if water quality and sanitation systems are not improved.

Aniruddha Ghosh, professor of medicine at Chittagong Medical College, blamed the prolonged and irrational use of antibiotics for this issue.

"Bacteria naturally develop resistance against antibiotics if used for a long time or irrationally [leaving the medicine course incomplete]. However, it might lose the resistance gradually if the drug is used after a long interval," he explained.

Pratik Chowdhury, associate professor of medicine at Chandpur Medical College, recommended a unified effort by doctors, city corporation, and WASA authorities as most drinking water is contaminated due to poor sanitation systems.