Characterization of antibiotic resistant enterococci isolated from untreated waters for human consumption in Portugal

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

Ana S Macedo (Author) Other; Ana R Freitas (Author) Other; Cristina Abreu (Author) Other; Elisabete Machado (Author) Other; Luisa Peixe (Author) FFUP; Joao C Sousa (Author) Other; Carla Novais (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: International Journal of Food Microbiology

Vol. 145 No. 1

Pages: 315-319

ISSN: 0168-1605

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 22 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 24 Citations

Pubmed / Medline

Scientific classification

FOS: Agrarian Sciences > Other Agrarian Sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-VR3

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2010.11.024

Resumo (PT): Untreated drinking water is frequently overlooked as a source of antibiotic resistance in developed countries. To gain further insight on this topic, we isolated the indicator bacteria Enterococcus spp. from water samples collected in wells, fountains and natural springs supplying different communities across Portugal, and characterized their antibiotic resistance profile with both phenotypic and genetic approaches. We found various rates of resistance to seven antibiotic families. Over 50% of the isolates were resistant to at least ciprofloxacin, tetracyclines or quinupristin–dalfopristin and 57% were multidrug resistant to ≥ 3 antibiotics from different families. Multiple enterococcal species (E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. hirae, E. casseliflavus and other Enterococcus spp) from different water samples harbored genes encoding resistance to tetracyclines, erythromycin or gentamicin [tet(M)-46%, tet(L)-14%, tet(S)-5%, erm(B)-22%, aac(6´)-Ie-aph(2″)-12%] and putative virulence factors [gel-28%, asa1-16%]. The present study positions untreated drinking water within the spectrum of ecological niches that may be reservoirs of or vehicles for antibiotic resistant enterococci/genes. These findings are worthy of attention as spread of antibiotic resistant enterococci to humans and animals through water ingestion cannot be dismissed. <br> <br> Keywords Human drinking water; Antibiotic resistance; tet genes; erm(B); aac(6´)-Ie-aph(2″); Virulence <br> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168160510006549"> Texto integral </a> <br>

Abstract (EN): Untreated drinking water is frequently overlooked as a source of antibiotic resistance in developed countries. To gain further insight on this topic, we isolated the indicator bacteria Enterococcus spp. from water samples collected in wells, fountains and natural springs supplying different communities across Portugal, and characterized their antibiotic resistance profile with both phenotypic and genetic approaches. We found various rates of resistance to seven antibiotic families. Over 50% of the isolates were resistant to at least ciprofloxacin, tetracyclines or quinupristin-dalfopristin and 57% were multidrug resistant to antibiotics from different families. Multiple enterococcal species (E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. hirae, E. casseliflavus and other Enterococcus spp) from different water samples harbored genes encoding resistance to tetracyclines, erythromycin or gentamicin [tet(M)-46%, tet(L)-14%, ter(S)-5%, erm(B)-22%, aac(6')-le-aph(2 '')-12%] and putative virulence factors [gel-28%, asa1-16%). The present study positions untreated drinking water within the spectrum of ecological niches that may be reservoirs of or vehicles for antibiotic resistant enterococci/genes. These findings are worthy of attention as spread of antibiotic resistant enterococci to humans and animals through water ingestion cannot be dismissed.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5