Sequencing of novel resistance plasmids from an antibiotic polluted lake. Escherichia coli strain:CV601

Antibiotic-polluted environments may function as reservoirs for novel resistance plasmids not yet encountered in pathogens. With the aim to identify and characterize such plasmids, we explored sediments samples from two Indian lakes with a history of severe pollution with fluoroquinolones. An Escherichia coli recipient, tagged with green fluorescent protein, was successfully used to capture resistance plasmids from one of the lakes. Our study supports the hypothesis that environments heavily polluted with antibiotics constitute risk milieus where development of antibiotic resistant bacteria is promoted.