A survey of antimicrobial resistance in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from the Chesapeake Bay and adjacent upper tributaries

Stefan Riedel, Nicholas Boire, Kathryn A. Carson, Aravinda Vadlamudi, Joshua Khuvis, Vivek Vadlamudi, Vajini Atukorale, Victoria A.A. Riedel, Nicole M. Parrish

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

In recent years, the rise in antimicrobial resistance (AR) in the healthcare setting as well as the environment has been recognized as a growing public health problem. The Chesapeake Bay (CB) and its upper tributaries (UT) is a large and biologically diverse estuary. This pilot study evaluated the presence of AR of gram-negative bacteria isolated from water samples collected at various sites of the Chesapeake Bay. Bacterial organisms were identified and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by phenotypic and genotypic methods. Ninety-two distinctly different gram-negative bacteria were identified; Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Serratia marcescens, and Escherichia coli were most often isolated. Serratia marcescens was more frequently isolated in samples from the UT compared to the CB. Antimicrobial resistance was more frequently detected in organisms from the CB by phenotypic and genotypic methods. Antimicrobial resistance to ampicillin, imipenem, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol were the most frequently observed resistance patterns. ACT-1, CMY, and SHV genes were the most frequently detected resistance genes, with predominance in organism isolated from the CB. The results from this study emphasize the importance for further developing comprehensive surveillance programs of AR in bacterial isolates in the various environments, such as recreational and other water systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere00839
JournalMicrobiologyOpen
Volume8
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2019

Keywords

  • Chesapeake Bay
  • Enterobacteriaceae
  • One Health
  • antibiotic pollution
  • antimicrobial resistance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology

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