Report of a carbapenemase gene bla in multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli from sewage water: A threat on clinical-environmental interphase.

Acquired carbapenemases pose a significant role in the dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and in this study we have identified the occurrence of bla in E. coli isolate from a sewage outfall located nearby a secondary health Centre. It was found to co-existed with bla located within a self-conjugable plasmid of IncF type. The current study underscores environment as a potential reservoir of carbapenem resistance and the need of the hour is to track and check dissemination of resistance in environment, human and agricultural settings.