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Identification and antibiotic resistance of faecal enterococci isolated from water samples
M T Tejedor Junco1, M González Martín, M L Pita Toledo
1Dpto. Microbiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, P.O. BOX 550, ES-35080, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. Tejedor@cicei.ulpgc.es
Abstract:
We have isolated 47 strains of presumptive faecal streptococci from different water samples. Identification was made by the method of Facklam et al. (1989). Antibiotic resistance was studied on Mueller-Hinton Agar. Twelve antibiotics were tested. High-level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR) and resistance to glycopeptides were studied. Biochemical identification of presumptive faecal streptococci isolates gave the following results: 19 Enterococcus faecalis, 12 E. faecium, 8 E. hirae, 4 E. durans and 4 E. mundtii. E. mundtii is not included among faecal enterococci. None of the strains were resistant to glycopeptides (vancomycin and teicoplanin). Three strains of Enterococci showed HLAR. Two of them were isolated from coastal bathing waters and the other from wastewater. This suggests that water could contribute to spread of HLAR enterococci and it should be a matter of concern for public health authorities.
Insights
Water samples revealed enterococci with high-level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR). This finding suggests water bodies may contribute to the spread of HLAR enterococci, posing a public health concern.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Faecal streptococci are indicators of water contamination.
- Antibiotic resistance in environmental bacteria is a growing public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize faecal streptococci isolated from water samples.
- To assess the antibiotic resistance profiles of these isolates, focusing on high-level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR) and glycopeptide resistance.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of 47 presumptive faecal streptococci strains from various water samples.
- Biochemical identification of isolates using Facklam et al. (1989) methods.
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing on Mueller-Hinton Agar against twelve antibiotics, including vancomycin, teicoplanin, and aminoglycosides.
Main Results:
- Identified species included Enterococcus faecalis (19), E. faecium (12), E. hirae (8), E. durans (4), and E. mundtii (4).
- No strains exhibited resistance to glycopeptides (vancomycin, teicoplanin).
- Three Enterococcus strains displayed high-level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR); two from coastal bathing waters and one from wastewater.
Conclusions:
- Water environments, including coastal bathing waters and wastewater, may facilitate the dissemination of HLAR enterococci.
- The presence of HLAR enterococci in water warrants attention from public health authorities due to potential transmission risks.
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