Evaluation of Multidrug-Resistant P. aeruginosa in Healthcare Facility Water Systems

According to the WHO, P. aeruginosa is one of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that represent the biggest threat to public health. The aim of the study was to establish the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa in the water systems of various healthcare facilities over the course of nine years. A total of 4500 tap water system samples were taken from seventeen healthcare facilities. The culture method was used to detect P. aeruginosa, and the isolates were then tested for antibiotic resistance using the standardised disc diffusion method. Eleven antibiotics from five different classes were tested. P. aeruginosa was found to have contaminated 2.07% (no. 93) of the water samples. The majority of positive samples came from the dental units (30.11%) and the ward kitchens (23.66%). Considering the total isolates, 56.99% (no. 3) were resistant to at least one of the antibiotics tested. A total of 71.43% of P. aeruginosa isolated from water emerging from dental unit handpieces was antibiotic-resistant, with 45% of it resistant to ≥3 classes of antibiotics. Out of the total isolates, 19.35% showed resistance to carbapenems. It would be advisable to systematically screen tap water for opportunistic micro-organisms such as P. aeruginosa, as many countries already do, including this in the Water Safety Plan.

Download Full-text

Detection of pathogenic bacteria associated with earphones used by students of Stamford University Bangladesh

Stamford Journal of Microbiology ◽

10.3329/sjm.v10i1.50723 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Omor Ahmed Chowdhury ◽

Md Raihan Ahmed ◽

Md Raihan Dipu ◽

Md Aftab Uddin

Keyword(s):

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Bacterial Isolates ◽

Biochemical Tests ◽

Disk Diffusion Method ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

Potential Source ◽

Different Types ◽

Staphylococcus Spp

The use of earphones has increased in recent times throughout the world especially among the different level of students such as school, college or university who have a higher tendency of sharing these among them. Unlike airline headsets, headphones and stethoscope ear-pieces, ear phones are often shared by multiple users and can be a potential medium for transmission of pathogens, which can give rise to various ear related infections. The objective of this study was to detect the pathogenic bacteria from the ear-phones used by the students of Stamford University Bangladesh. A total of 16 ear-phone swabs were collected by sterile cotton swabs. The swabs were inoculated onto blood agar and incubated aerobically overnight at 37oC. Microscopic observation and standard biochemical tests were performed to confirm the identification of all the bacterial isolates. Six presumptively identified Staphylococcus spp. (38%) were tested against six different types of antibiotics following Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Isolates were found to be 84% resistant against Cotrimoxazole and demonstrated 100% sensitivity to Vancomycin and Ciprorofloxacin. The findings of this study suggest the users to disinfect their respective ear phones and not to exchange them as they may act as a potential source to transfer pathogenic and antibiotic resistant bacteria among the ear phone users. Stamford Journal of Microbiology, Vol.10 (1) 2020: 1-4

Download Full-text

Antibacterial Activity of Prismatomeris tetrandra K. Schum Root Extract against Antibiotic Resistance Bacteria

Walailak Journal of Science and Technology (WJST) ◽

10.48048/wjst.2019.6291 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. 341-348

Author(s):

On-Anong SOMSAP

Keyword(s):

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Culture Broth ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Root Extract ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria ◽

Colony Forming Units

Antibiotic resistance bacteria has become an increasing problem now today due to many factors. This study investigates the efficacy of Prismatomeris tetrandra K. Schum root extract as a new source of antibacterial activity for antibiotic resistant bacteria using agar well diffusion method. The results showed that S. aureus TISTR517 exhibited more sensitivity to P. tetrandra K. Schum root extract than other Gram-positive bacteria indicator strains. On the other hand, Gram-negative bacteria exhibited resistance to P. tetrandra K. Schum root extract. The study further showed the activity between P. tetrandra K. Schum root extract and gentamycin (10 µg), it revealed that MRSA142 was resistant to gentamycin (10µg) but sensitive to P. tetrandra K. Schum root extract. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was evaluated by using S. aureus TISTR517 and MRSA142 as indicator strains. The MIC value was 0.59 mg/mL and 1.17 mg/mL for S. aureus TISTR517 and MRSA142, respectively. MBC assay demonstrated that the MBC value was 9.75 mg/mL and 150 mg/mL for S. aureus TISTR517 and MRSA142 respectively. The mode of action was investigated with the presence of P. tetrandra K. Schum root extract in the culture broth. The action of P. tetrandra K. Schum root extract was revealed of bacteriostatic activity due to the Optical density (OD) at 600 nm and Colony-Forming Units (CFU) of indicator strains were continuously decreased.

Download Full-text

Evaluating the use and intent of drinking water advisories in Atlantic Canada

Water Policy ◽

10.2166/wp.2020.029 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 908-924

Author(s):

Kaycie Lane ◽

Graham Gagnon

Keyword(s):

Risk Management ◽

Drinking Water ◽

Water System ◽

Water Systems ◽

Alternative Methods ◽

Atlantic Canada ◽

Water Safety ◽

Proactive Management ◽

Management Measures ◽

Over Time

Abstract Drinking water advisories (DWAs) are used as a tool for identifying water safety concerns in many jurisdictions. Evidence from previous research demonstrates a lack of improvement in water system operations over time, with an increase in the total number of DWAs in place. DWAs are predominantly issued due to operational concerns within a water system, implying a lack of proactive management measures for preventable issues. Therefore, DWAs represent a chronic issue for many water systems, particularly those lacking resources to implement operational improvements. This study explores DWA characteristics in Atlantic Canada, including frequency and duration, focusing on municipal and private water systems. Seasonality was identified as a trend in DWA issuance in Nova Scotia, and reasons for DWA issuance are largely unchanged over time. Neither of these identified concerns has led to a change in DWA reporting or issuance procedures. Additionally, this study identifies a lack of a common reporting format, leading to the proposal of a template of minimum characteristics for future DWA reporting. Overall, this study highlights deficiencies in the DWA issuance process as a water safety measure and suggests alternative methods for risk management in water systems to alleviate the persistence and prevalence of DWAs in Canada.

Download Full-text

Molecular Detection and Antibiotyping of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Isolated from Houseflies in a Fish Market

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens8040191 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 191 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sobur ◽

Hasan ◽

Haque ◽

Mridul ◽

Noreddin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Detection ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Salmonella Spp ◽

Disk Diffusion Method ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

Fish Market ◽

Pcr Method ◽

High Level

Houseflies (Musca domestica) are well-known mechanical vectors for spreading multidrug-resistant bacteria. Fish sold in open markets are exposed to houseflies. The present study investigated the prevalence and antibiotypes of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella spp. in houseflies captured from a fish market. Direct interviews with fish vendors and consumers were also performed to draw their perceptions about the role of flies in spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A total of 60 houseflies were captured from a local fish market in Bangladesh. The presence of Salmonella spp. was confirmed using PCR method. Antibiogram was determined by the disk diffusion method, followed by the detection of tetA, tetB, and qnrA resistance genes by PCR. From the interview, it was found that most of the consumers and vendors were not aware of antibiotic resistance, but reported that flies can carry pathogens. Salmonella spp. were identified from the surface of 34 (56.7%) houseflies, of which 31 (91.2%) were found to be MDR. This study revealed 25 antibiotypes among the isolated Salmonella spp. All tested isolates were found to be resistant to tetracycline. tetA and tetB were detected in 100% and 47.1% of the isolates, respectively. Among the 10 isolates phenotypically found resistant to ciprofloxacin, six (60%) were found to be positive for qnrA gene. As far as we know, this is the first study from Bangladesh to report and describe the molecular detection of multidrug-resistant Salmonella spp. in houseflies in a fish market facility. The occurrence of a high level of MDR Salmonella in houseflies in the fish market is of great public health concerns.

Download Full-text

Antibiotic Resistance of Enterobacteriaceae Isolated from Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and Characterization of their AmpC β-Lactamases

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-19-089 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 82 (11) ◽

pp. 1857-1863 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

ZAHRA S. AL-KHAROUSI ◽

NEJIB GUIZANI ◽

ABDULLAH M. AL-SADI ◽

ISMAIL M. AL-BULUSHI

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Disk Diffusion Method ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

Amoxicillin Clavulanic Acid ◽

Clinically Significant ◽

Enterobacter Asburiae

ABSTRACT Enterobacteria may gain antibiotic resistance and be potent pathogens wherever they are present, including in fresh fruits and vegetables. This study tested the antibiotic resistance of enterobacteria isolated from 13 types of local and imported fresh fruits and vegetables (n = 105), using the standard Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Phenotypic and genotypic characterizations of AmpC β-lactamases were determined in cefoxitin-resistant isolates. Ten percent of the enterobacteria tested (n = 88) were pansusceptible, 74% were resistant to at least one antibiotic, and 16% were multidrug resistant. Enterobacteria isolates showed the highest antibiotic resistance against ampicillin (66%), cephalothin (57%), amoxicillin–clavulanic acid (33%), cefoxitin (31%), tetracycline (9%), nalidixic acid (7%), trimethoprim (6%), and kanamycin (5%). Three isolates showed intermediate resistance to the clinically important antibiotic imipenem. Escherichia coli isolated from lettuce exhibited multidrug resistance against five antibiotics. Fifteen isolates were confirmed to have AmpC β-lactamase, using the inhibitor-based test and the antagonism test; the latter test confirmed that the enzyme was an inducible type. Four types of ampC β-lactamase genes (CIT, EBC, FOX, and MOX) were detected in eight isolates: four Enterobacter cloacae isolates and one isolate each of Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter asburiae, Enterobacter hormaechei, and Enterobacter ludwigii. It was concluded that fresh fruits and vegetables might play a role as a source or vehicle for transferring antibiotic-resistant bacteria that might spread to other countries through exportation. The clinically significant AmpC β-lactamase was rarely documented in the literature on bacteria isolated from fruits and vegetables, and to our knowledge, this is the first report on the detection of an inducible type in such commodities.

Download Full-text

The antibiotic resistance of heterotrophic bacteria in tap waters in London

Water Science & Technology Water Supply ◽

10.2166/ws.2018.065 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 179-190

Author(s):

R. Destiani ◽

M. R. Templeton

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia ◽

Heterotrophic Bacteria ◽

Tap Water ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Opportunistic Pathogens ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

Sampling Locations ◽

The City

Abstract This study assessed the occurrence and prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in tap water sampled across London, United Kingdom. Sampling was conducted seasonally from nine locations spread geographically across the city. ARBs and ARGs (tet(A), dfrA7, and sul1) were detected in all sampling locations in all sampling rounds. Resistance to trimethoprim was the highest among the tested antibiotics and the sul1 gene was the most abundant resistance gene detected. Several opportunistic pathogens were identified amongst the ARBs in the water samples, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

Download Full-text

Antibiotic and Heavy Metal Resistant Bacteria Isolated from Aegean Sea Water and Sediment in Güllük Bay, Turkey : Quantifying the resistance of identified bacteria species with potential for environmental remediation applications

Johnson Matthey Technology Review ◽

10.1595/205651320x15953337767424 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 64 (4) ◽

pp. 507-525 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gülşen Altuğ ◽

Mine Çardak ◽

Pelin Saliha Çiftçi Türetken ◽

Samet Kalkan ◽

Sevan Gürün

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metal ◽

Aegean Sea ◽

Heavy Metal Resistance ◽

Metal Resistance ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

Heavy Metal Resistant ◽

Seawater Samples

Heavy metal and antibiotic-resistant bacteria have potential for environmental bioremediation applications. Resistant bacteria were investigated in sediment and seawater samples taken from the Aegean Sea, Turkey, between 2011 and 2013. Bioindicator bacteria in seawater samples were tested using the membrane filtration technique. The spread plate technique and VITEK® 2 Compact 30 micro identification system were used for heterotrophic aerobic bacteria in the samples. The minimum inhibition concentration method was used for heavy metal-resistant bacteria. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were tested using the disk diffusion method. All bacteria isolated from sediment samples showed 100% resistance to rifampicin, sulfonamide, tetracycline and ampicillin. 98% of isolates were resistant against nitrofurantoin and oxytetracycline. Higher antibiotic and heavy metal resistance was recorded in bacteria isolated from sediment than seawater samples. The highest levels of bacterial metal resistance were recorded against copper (58.3%), zinc (33.8%), lead (32.1%), chromium (31%) and iron (25.2%). The results show that antibiotic and heavy metal resistance in bacteria from sediment and seawater can be observed as responses to environmental influences including pollution in marine areas.

Download Full-text

The prevalence of nasal carriage of meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus among healthcare workers in a non-acute healthcare facility

Journal of Infection Prevention ◽

10.1177/1757177412447834 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 109-113

Author(s):

R Kelly ◽

AL Dillon ◽

AM Carroll ◽

EB McNamara

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Meca Gene ◽

Culture Method ◽

Nasal Carriage ◽

Healthcare Facility ◽

Strict Adherence ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

High Level ◽

Acute Healthcare

There is a lack of data available concerning the baseline prevalence of meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the Republic of Ireland. This anonymous prevalence study screened HCWs for nasal carriage of MRSA in a non-acute healthcare facility (HCF) in Dublin and the prevalence rate among these HCWs was calculated. Three hundred and four HCWs were invited to participate, with 112 (37%) consenting to take part in the study. Nasal swabs were analysed by culture method for MRSA with reference to Health Protection Agency guidelines. Meticillin resistant isolates were examined for presence of MecA gene by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The overall rate of nasal carriage MRSA was found to be 8.9% (10/112), of whom eight were nurses, one was medical staff and one was household/catering staff. High-level mupirocin resistance was detected in two of the isolates. This study confirms a significant prevalence of MRSA carriage among the cohort studied, particularly among frontline HCWs. This emphasises the need for strict adherence to infection control protocols to minimise healthcare associated MRSA infections among patients in non-acute healthcare facilities. The detection of high level mupirocin resistant MRSA has implications for MRSA decontamination protocols.

Download Full-text

Investigation of Some Antibiotic Resistance Genes of Indigenous Lactobacilli Isolated From Traditional Yogurt In Zanjan Province of Iran

10.21203/rs.3.rs-612605/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bahare Moghimi ◽

Maryam Ghobadi Dana ◽

Reza Shapouri

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Food Chain ◽

Starter Culture ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Molecular Methods ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Fermented Foods ◽

Antibiotic Resistant

Abstract Purpose: Given the increasing use of antibiotics on humans and livestock for treatment or as a growth stimulant, antibiotic resistance has become a general concern. The food chain and specially fermented foods could be a source of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and Lactobacilli are considered safe to use as starter culture or probiotic strains. Recently, however, antibiotic-resistant genes isolated from LABs showed the necessity of setting international regulations to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance genes transmission via the food chain. The current study aimed to investigate the antibiotic resistance of Lactobacilli isolated from traditional yogurt samples from Zanjan province in Iran.Methods: Lactobacilli characterization and identification were carried out through biochemical and molecular methods. The disk diffusion method was applied to determine phenotype resistance using 13 antibiotic disks resistance genes presence were investigated in the isolates to determine transferability risk, respectively.Results: Based on biochemical and molecular methods, 24 isolates have been identified as Lactobacilli with multiple antibiotic-resistant phenotypes. Vancomycin resistance was a typical phenotype and genotype among isolates. On investigated Lactobacilli chromosome, Tetracycline resistance genes Chloramphenicol (cat), beta-lactam, aminoglycosides (aph (3’)-III), and aadA resistance genes have been detected. While the examined resistance genes have not been detected on the plasmids, they were all on the bacterial chromosome.Conclusion: The results showed that the investigated isolates did not carry the resistance genes on their plasmids. It, therefore, would be a good point since they probably do not transfer resistance genes to other bacteria, and they would be proper candidates to do more investigation for introducing new safe starter culture or probiotic strain to food industries.

Download Full-text

Toward a comprehensive explanatory model of reliance on alternatives to the tap: evidence from California's retail water stores

Journal of Water and Health ◽

10.2166/wh.2019.289 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 455-462 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gregory Pierce ◽

Larry Lai

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Tap Water ◽

Water System ◽

Water Systems ◽

Water Quality Standards ◽

Explanatory Factors ◽

Premise Plumbing ◽

Education Campaigns ◽

The Relationship ◽

Secondary Contamination

Abstract Building on a recent increase in scholarly attention to the problem of tap water mistrust and resulting negative health impacts, we examine the relationship between neighborhood reliance on tap water alternatives and a range of explanatory factors. We model retail water store locations as a proxy for reliance on tap water alternatives in urbanized neighborhoods across California. Our study is unique in its inclusion of variables representing both compliance with primary and secondary water quality standards by publicly regulated drinking water systems serving particular neighborhoods, other water system attributes and the socioeconomic characteristics of neighborhoods. The location of retail water stores in urbanized neighborhoods does not appear strongly related to observed measures of water quality. Secondary contamination shows a weak relationship to tap alternative reliance, and primary contamination was not correlated with higher levels of tap alternative reliance. On the other hand, our research suggests that other socioeconomic factors, particularly country of birth, are associated with the prevalence of more water stores. Increasing reliance on tap water likely requires measuring and addressing secondary contamination found in distributional systems and premise plumbing, and more aggressive public education campaigns.

Download Full-text