Comparison of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli obtained from drinking water sources in northern Tanzania: a cross-sectional study
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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC Microbiology
Abstract
Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing and significant threat to public health on a global scale.
Escherichia coli comprises Gram-negative, fecal-borne pathogenic and commensal bacteria that are frequently
associated with antibiotic resistance. AMR E. coli can be ingested via food, water and direct contact with fecal
contamination.
Methods: We estimated the prevalence of AMR Escherichia coli from select drinking water sources in northern
Tanzania. Water samples (n = 155) were collected and plated onto Hi-Crome E. coli and MacConkey agar.
Presumptive E. coli were confirmed by using a uidA PCR assay. Antibiotic susceptibility breakpoint assays were used
to determine the resistance patterns of each isolate for 10 antibiotics. Isolates were also characterized by select PCR
genotyping and macro-restriction digest assays.
Results: E. coli was isolated from 71 % of the water samples, and of the 1819 E. coli tested, 46.9 % were resistant to
one or more antibiotics. Resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, and trimethoprim
was significantly higher (15–30 %) compared to other tested antibiotics (0–6 %; P < 0.05). Of the β-lactam-resistant
isolates, blaTEM-1 was predominant (67 %) followed by blaCTX-M (17.7 %) and blaSHV-1 (6.0 %). Among the tetracyclineresistant
isolates, tet(A) was predominant (57.4 %) followed by tet(B) (24.0 %). E. coli isolates obtained from these
water sources were genetically diverse with few matching macro-restriction digest patterns.
Conclusion: Water supplies in northern Tanzania may be a source of AMR E. coli for people and animals. Further
studies are needed to identify the source of these contaminants and devise effective intervention strategies.
Sustainable Development Goals
Research Article published by BMC Microbiology
Keywords
Antibiotic resistance, Water quality