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Occurrence of enterococci harbouring clinically important antibiotic resistance genes in the aquatic environment in Gauteng, South Africa.

Authors :
Hamiwe T
Kock MM
Magwira CA
Antiabong JF
Ehlers MM
Source :
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) [Environ Pollut] 2019 Feb; Vol. 245, pp. 1041-1049. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Nov 19.
Publication Year :
2019

Abstract

The development of antibiotic resistance and dissemination of its determinants is an emerging public health problem as it compromises treatment options of infections that were, until recently, treatable. Investigation of outbreaks of vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) suggests that the environment serves as a significant reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, there is a paucity of data regarding the presence of ARGs in the water sources in South Africa. In this study, water samples collected from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), surface water and hospital sewage were screened for enterococci harbouring genes conferring resistance to four classes of antibiotics. Enterococci isolates harbouring ARGs were detected in raw influent and treated wastewater discharge from WWTPs and hospital sewage water. Plasmid and transposon encoded ermB (macrolide), tetM and tetL (tetracycline) as well as aph(3')-IIIa (aminoglycosides) genes were frequently detected among the isolates, especially in E. faecalis. The presence of enterococci harbouring ARGs in the treated wastewater suggest that ARGs are discharged into the environment where their proliferation could be perpetuated. Among the enterococci clonal complexes (CCs) recovered from wastewater were E. faecium CC17 (ST18), which is frequently associated with hospital outbreaks and a novel E. faecalis sequence type (ST), ST780.<br /> (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1873-6424
Volume :
245
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
30682738
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.11.040