37% bacteria on Konkan coast show antibiotic resistance: Study

Researchers at BRIC-NCCS and Delhi University found arsenic contamination along Maharashtra's Konkan coast, linking toxic heavy metals to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Nearly 37% of isolated bacteria had a Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Index above 0.2. Researchers said metals such as arsenic, chromium and lead can drive bacteria to develop resistance genes that also counter antibiotics.