Antibiotic resistance pattern and molecular detection of ESBL-associated genes in E. coli from surface and wastewater of Islamabad capital territory, Pakistan

Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine how surface and wastewater contribute to the contamination of the environment with an extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL E. coli). Water samples (n = 32) were collected from eight different locations of Islamabad and processed for microbiological and molecular analyses of E. coli and ESBL E. coli. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out to determine the resistance pattern of the isolates. A total of 21 water samples were contaminated with E. coli and 15 isolates were identified as ESBL producers harboring blaTEM (40%) and blaCTX-M (33.33%) genes. Interestingly, all the ESBL E. coli isolates showed the least resistance against second-generation Cephalosporins compared to other generations. Moreover, the study showed that the aquatic environment is harboring multidrug-resistant E. coli; therefore, it may act as a source of transmission to humans. The recovery of ESBL E. coli isolates resistant to higher generation Cephalosporins, Monobactam, and Carbapenems from water samples indicated an alarming situation. Thus, there is an urgent need to treat water efficiently for microbial decontamination to minimize the transmission of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria.

Incidence and molecular characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli of avifauna origin in Pakistan

“…Recently, in a study conducted on samples of surface and wastewater in the urban territory of Islamabad (capital of Pakistan), bla CTX-M (33.33%) and bla TEM (40%) ESBL genes were identified in isolates of E. coli (Ahsan et al 2022). These findings advocate the spread of AMR microbes in urban avifauna through the consumption of contaminated water.…”

A systematic review and meta-analysis of carbapenem resistance and its possible treatment options with focus on clinical Enterobacteriaceae: Thirty years of development in Pakistan

“…Several studies reported bla NDM from different sources as table eggs [ 103 ]; beef and milk [ 104 ]; wild birds [ 105 ]; hospital tap, basin, and drains [ 106 ]. Studies also reported carbapenem resistance from health care sink drains [ 107 ]; sewage [ 108 ]; surface and wastewater [ 109 ]. Hassan et al, reported the role of arthropods as vectors transmitting carbapenem resistant infections between hospital surfaces and surgical site infections [ 110 ].…”

Detection ofSalmonellaTyphi andblaCTX-MGenes in Drinking Water, Wastewater, and Environmental Biofilms in Sindh Province, Pakistan

“…Although we did not determine the bacterial species associated with the bla CTX-M genes, our study supports previous reports on ESBL-producing enterobacteria. A previous study found that ESBL-producing E. coli accounted for 57.7% (15/26) of E. coli isolates recovered in surface and wastewater in Islamabad, Pakistan [24]. Two other conference reports on the disseminations of bla CTX-M genes among enterobacteria in water or wastewater in Faisalabad or Islamabad, Pakistan reported a prevalence of CTX-M-producing E. coli in 29% and 8% of samples, respectively [11, 12].…”