Antibiotic resistant pathogens versus human impacts: A study from three eco-regions of the Chennai coast, southern India

► Chennai coastal zone studied for antibiotic resistance and pollution indicators. ► Nine hundred and sixty bacterial strains examined for susceptibility pattern against 10 antibiotics. ► High (vancomycin - 53.6%) and low (chloramphenicol - 3.43%) resistant pattern recorded. ► As per ARI (0.29-0.343) and PI (6.66-14.06), coastal zone is hygienically poor. ► Highest rate of resistance reflects over exposure of antibiotics/human excretions.