Genetic Investigation of Beta-Lactam Associated Antibiotic Resistance Among Strains Isolated from Water Sources.

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial resistance is an important factor threatening human health. It is widely accepted that antibiotic resistant bacteria such as ( released from humans and animals into the water sources, can introduce their resistance genes into the natural bacterial community.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and associated-antibiotic resistance among bacteria isolated from different water resources in Iran.

METHODS

The study contained all strains segregated from different surface water sources. The Kirby-Bauer method and combined discs method was determined in this study for testing antimicrobial susceptibility and strains that produced Extended-Spectrum Beta Lactamases (ESBL), respectively. DNA extraction kit was applied for genomic and plasmid DNA derivation. Finally the frequency of resistant genes including and in ESBL producing isolates were studied by PCR.

RESULTS

One hundred strains were isolated and entered in the study. The highest antibiotic resistance was observed on clindamycin (96%). Moreover, 38.5% isolates were ESBL producers. The frequency of different ESBLs genes were 37%, 27%, 27%, and 25% for , respectively. The wasn't found in any isolates.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed a high prevalence of and genes among strains in surface water resources. In conclusion, these results raised a concern regarding the presence and distribution of these threatening factors in surface water sources and its subsequent outcomes.