Presence of multi-drug resistant pathogenic Escherichia coli in the San Pedro River located in the State of Aguascalientes, Mexico

Abstract

Contamination of surface waters in developing countries is a great concern. Treated and untreated wastewaters have been discharged into rivers and streams, leading to possible waterborne infection outbreaks and may represent a significant dissemination mechanism of antibiotic resistance genes. In this study, the water quality of San Pedro River, the main river and pluvial collector of the Aguascalientes State, Mexico was assessed. Thirty sample locations were tested throughout the River. The main physicochemical parameters of water were evaluated. Results showed high levels of fecal pollution as well as inorganic and organic matter abundant enough to support the heterotrophic growth of microorganisms. These results indicate poor water quality in samples from different locations. One hundred and fifty Escherichia coli were collected and screened by PCR for several virulence genes. Isolates were classified as either pathogenic (n = 91) or commensal (n = 59). The disc diffusion method was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility to 13 antibiotics. Fifty-two percent of the isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent and 30.6% were multi-resistant. Eighteen E. coli strains were quinolone resistant of which 16 were multi-resistant. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes were detected in 12 isolates. Mutations at the Ser-83→Leu and/or Asp-87→Asn in the gyrA gene were detected as well as mutations at the Ser-80→Ile in parC. An E. coli microarray (Maxivirulence V 3.1) was used to characterize the virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes profiles of the fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates. Antimicrobial resistance genes such as blaTEM, sulI, sulII, dhfrIX, aph3 (strA), and tet (B) as well as integrons were found in fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistance E. coli strains. The presence of potential pathogenic E. coli and antibiotic resistance in San Pedro River such as FQ resistant E. coli could pose a potential threat to human and animal health.

Shiga (Vero)-toxin producing Escherichia coli isolated from the hospital foods; virulence factors, o-serogroups and antimicrobial resistance properties

“…Antibiotic resistance-based finding of Stewardson et al, [5] study was in contrast with our results which showed the high prevalence of resistance and also antibiotic resistance genes. This part of our study was similar with those of India [28] (high prevalence of resistance against erythromycin, cephalothin, amikacin, kanamycin and gentamicin antibiotics), South Africa [29] (high presence of CITM , blaSHV and tetA antibiotic resistance genes), Korea [30] (high prevalence of resistance against ampicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin and amikacin antibiotics) and Mexico [31] (high presence of tet , blaSHV , qnr and aac ( 3 )- IV antibiotic resistance genes and also high prevalence of resistance against ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol and cephalotine antibiotics). Momtaz et al, [20] reported that aac ( 3 )- IV (68.03%), sul1 (82.78%), blaSHV (56.55%), aadA1 (60.65%) and tetA (51.63%) and also resistance against tetracycline (86.88%), penicillin (100%), gentamycin (62.29%) and streptomycin (54.91%) were the most commonly reported antibiotic resistance-based finding of STEC strains of diarrheic patients which was similar to our results.…”

Characteristics of Quinolone Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolates from Humans, Animals, and the Environment in the Czech Republic

“…Isolates from poultry and rooks that displayed clinical levels of ciprofloxacin resistance linked to single or double mutations in gyrA and parC were found in our study. Strains of various animal origin with these types of mutations have been recently found worldwide (Sáenz et al, 2003; Liu et al, 2012; Castillo et al, 2013; Johnning et al, 2015; Balakrishnan et al, 2016). …”

Antibiotic Resistance and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Production of Escherichia coli Isolated from Irrigation Waters in Selected Urban Farms in Metro Manila, Philippines

“…For instance, Roe et al [25] showed that the Rio Grande River, a major source of irrigation water for both the USA and Mexico, harbors MDR E. coli with a prevalence rate of 32%. Another important source of irrigation water in Mexico is the San Pedro River which was found to be contaminated by MDR E. coli with a prevalence rate of 30.6% [27]. In a study of Chigor et al [26], surface waters used for irrigation in Zaria, Nigeria were found to be contaminated with pathogenic E. coli O157:H7, which are also MDR.…”