Antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from freshwaters and hospital effluents in Belgium. (14th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crettels, L.; Burlion, N.; Breyer, R.; Mainil, J.; Servais, P.; Korfer, J.; Thiry, D.
• Is Part Of: Letters in applied microbiology. Volume 74:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 411
• Page End: 418
• Publication Date: 2021-12-14
• Subjects: antimicrobial resistance -- Belgium -- Escherichia coli -- freshwater -- hospital wastewaters -- Walloon region -- water quality; Microbiology -- Periodicals; 660.62
• DOI: 10.1111/lam.13625
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-8254

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the level of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolates in freshwaters and hospital effluents in Belgium. The samples were collected from 24 locations along the Ourthe, Vesdre, Amblève and Meuse rivers and in the wastewater effluents of several hospitals. The sampling stations in rivers were classified according to the dominant land covers of the rivers (rural, urban and forest areas). Two sampling campaigns were organized in May and October 2019 to highlight a possible seasonal effect. A total of 938 E. coli strains were isolated on Chromogenic Selective Tryptone Bile X‐glucuronide (TBX) and TBX supplemented with amoxicillin (TBX+AMX) media. Disk diffusion assays were performed following the EUCAST's recommendations to assess the antimicrobial resistance against 12 antibiotics. A total of 32·7% of strains were at least resistant to one antibiotic and 24·6% were multiple antimicrobial resistant strains on TBX. The highest resistance rates were found for ampicillin (AMP), amoxicillin coupled with clavulanic acid (AMC) and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SXT). The lowest resistance rates were observed for meropenem (MEM) and ertapenem (ETP), which are last resort antibiotics. No significant difference was observed between both campaigns for the resistance rate to antibiotics. Abstract : Significance and Impact of the Study: This study evaluated for the first time the level of antimicrobial resistant (AR) and multiple antimicrobial resistant (MAR) Escherichia coli isolated from freshwaters and hospital effluents in Belgium during two sampling campaigns conducted in 2019. E. coli isolates resistant to amoxicillin were detected everywhere. The MAR index was calculated for each station. Despite the high MAR index in hospital effluents, their impact was not highlighted in the Ourthe river downstream from the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) outfall. The resistance rate to antibiotics measured during both campaigns does not show any significant difference and thus no seasonal impact could be demonstrated.