Abstract
The Mhlathuze River has become a major reservoir for antibiotic-resistant microbes and a wide pool of antibiotic resistant genes with the environmental isolates exists in this water system. The ability of commensal organisms to carry resistant genes of clinical importance and their ability to transfer such genes to other bacteria are of greater concern than phenotypic measurements. Forty-three Enterobacteriaceae isolates, which were capable of resisting more than 4 different classes of antibiotics, were used for the molecular characterisation of antibiotic resistances. It was found that 58% of these multiple antibiotic-resistant isolates possess the Class 1 integron. Amongst these 25 isolates with positive detection of the Class 1 integron, the beta-lactamase gene (pse) was the most common, being present in 44% of these integrons. The aminoglycoside- resistant gene was detected in 16% of these integrons and 24% of Class 1 integrons contained two genes coding for sulphonamide resistance and for quaternary ammonium compounds resistance. A high degree of genotypic diversity and the lack of correlation between antimicrobial resistance patterns and molecular types of the isolates suggest convergent acquisition of resistance determinants by genetically unrelated strains rather than epidemic spread of resistant isolates in the community. Of the tested environmental isolates, 56% transferred their plasmids as well as their antibiotic resistance profiles to the recipient cells. The possibility of transmission of resistant genes between bacteria (especially pathogenic) which invade human and animal populations within this river poses a health risk to the communities who are dependent on this river for water consumption. Water SA Vol. 31 (2) 2005: pp.257-260
Highlights
The Mhlathuze River in northern KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, flows into the estuary at Richards Bay and supports a rapidly growing agricultural and industrial community (Steyl et al, 2000)
The micro-organisms which were isolated from the nutrient agar, m-Endo at 37°C and mFC plates at 44°C included mainly Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp. and Aeromonas hydrophila
From the results of this diverse study one can conclude that there exists a pool of resistance genes within the Mhlathuze River
Summary
The Mhlathuze River in northern KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, flows into the estuary at Richards Bay and supports a rapidly growing agricultural and industrial community (Steyl et al, 2000). The majority of the Enterobacteriaceae isolates from this water system carry antibiotic-resistant gene(s) especially the β-lactamase genes (Lin et al, 2004b). Ash et al (2002) and Park et al (2003) reported that several rivers in the USA as well as in South Korea have become major reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant microbes. Given the propensity of the Enterobacteriaceae family and clinically significant bacteria to acquire antimicrobial resistance, consistent surveillance of the agents commonly prescribed to treat infections arising from these organisms is imperative (Sahm et al, 2000). These organisms could create a widespread antibiotic-resistant gene pool. These genes could be transferred into human and animal disease organisms (Kruse and Sorum, 1994), which subsequently could generate significant health and economic impacts
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