A One Health exploration of antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli originated from urban and rural lakes ecosystem.

This article focuses on assessing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Escherichia coli isolated from urban and rural lake ecosystems in India using the One Health approach, which considers the interconnected health of humans, animals, and the environment. Testing 162 E. coli isolates against 25 antimicrobials revealed low to moderate resistance rates for individual drugs but a high prevalence (>80%) of multidrug resistance (MDR), including resistance to critically and highly important antibiotics used in human and veterinary medicine. The study found no significant differences in AMR prevalence between urban and rural lakes or across seasons, though anthropogenic activities were significantly associated with resistance levels. These findings highlight lakes as potential reservoirs and transmission points for MDR E. coli, underscoring the need for integrated monitoring and policy strategies to address AMR risks within aquatic environments under the One Health framework.