Austria-wide survey on resistant, potentially pathogenic bacteria at Austrian bathing sites, 2017

Abstract

Summary There is growing concern about human-induced antibiotic resistance and on the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant, potentially pathogenic bacteria in the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of resistant, clinically relevant bacteria at bathing sites. In total, 27 of 263 bathing sites authorized under the EU Bathing Water Directive (3 per Austrian state) were sampled during the summer of 2017. Samples were tested for antibiotic-resistant bacteria by enrichment in thioglycollate broth and cultivation on chromogenic media. The screening for potentially pathogenic antibiotic-resistant bacteria was negative in 23 of the 27 samples. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were detected from 4 of the 27 bathing sites: one Pseudomonas aeruginosa and three resistant Enterobacteriaceae (piperacillin/tazobactam-resistant Enterobacter cloacae with high-level expression of AmpC beta-lactamase, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter mori, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli). Despite the occurrence of resistant bacteria, we consider the public health risk at Austrian bathing sites as low.

Isolation and Characterization of Environmental Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

“…Importantly, they are ubiquitous, making them efficient vehicles for AMR dissemination. The presence of ESBL- Ec and ESBL- Kp in rainwater runoff could be explained by the marshy nature of the city of Ouagadougou, which is crossed by the Massili slope and many watercourses that potentially contain ESBL- Enterobacterales originating from the excrement of grazing cattle or of wild animals, discharge of partially treated wastewater, or sewer overflows during heavy rains [ 33 , 34 ]. These observations point to the need to conduct additional studies in order to evaluate the risks of these potential contamination sources and mitigate their occurrence.…”