OCCURRENCE OF β-LACTAM RESISTANT BACTERIAL GENES FROM CLINICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND POULTRY ISOLATES
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Upendra Thapa Shrestha¹, Dev Joshi¹, Manash Shrestha², Nabaraj Shrestha³, Komal
Rijal¹, Prakash Ghimire¹
¹Tribhuvan University, Institute
of Science and Technology
²APMEN
³Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL)
Introduction
The widespread and irrational use of antibiotics in
empirical therapy and veterinary practices are of great concern in the
developing world. Besides, the improper management of antimicrobial waste adds
to the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens. Although there is regular
reporting of the increased resistance among clinical isolates, the occurrence
of the resistance genes among bacteria from the environment and animal origins
is not well documented in our contest.
Methods
Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were
isolated from different samples and were subjected to antimicrobial
susceptibility testing following the CLSI guidelines. The pathogens were then
screened for resistance genes including blaTEM, mcr-1, mecA,
and blaNDM-1 genes.
Results
Of 169 S. aureus isolates of clinical origin, 44.9% were
methicillin-resistant S. aureus and 55 of them possessed the mecA gene.
On the other hand, 46.7% of MRSA from water samples possess the mecA gene.
The occurrence of the mcr-1 gene among E. coli was found to be
91.6% and 44% from clinical and poultry origins respectively. Most of E.
coli were ESBL producers carrying 41.2% and 57.5% of the blaTEM gene from
the clinical and water samples respectively. Similarly, P. aeruginosa from
clinical origin were resistant to most of the antibiotics and 77.8% of MBL
producers possess the blaNDM-1 gene.
Conclusion
The resistant genes were ubiquitous in all sources.
Hence, it is urgent to address one health concept and alert the policymakers to
formulate strict antibiotic prescription policies in clinical settings and
control the overuse of antibiotics in animal farming.
SDG 3 targets:
3.D: Global health risks
Other SDGs:
SDG 3: Good health and well-being
Date and Place of Presentation: November 23, 2023, Thursday, Utrecht, Netherlands (1:30 PM Session at Social Impact Factory Building, Seoul).
