| Abstract |
The contamination of fresh surface waters poses a significant burden on human health and prosperity, especially in marginalized communities with limited resources and inadequate infrastructures. Here, we performed in-depth genomic analyses of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR-B) present in Al-Oueik river that is used for irrigation of agricultural fields in a disenfranchised area that also hosts a makeshift camp of Syrian refugees. A composite freshwater sample was filtered. Fecal coliforms were counted and extended-spectrum cephalosporins and/or ertapenem resistant bacteria were screened. Isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF-MS and analyzed using WGS to identify the resistome, sequence types, plasmid types, and virulence genes. Approximately 106 CFU/100 ml of fecal coliforms were detected in the water. Four drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria were identified, namely Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter hormaechei, and Pseudomonas otitidis. Notably, the E. coli isolate harbored blaNDM-5 and the YRIN-inserted PBP3, representing an emerging public health challenge. The K. pneumoniae isolate carried blaSHV-187 as well as mutations in the gene encoding the OmpK37 porin. E. hormaechei and P. otitidis harbored blaACT-16 and blaPOM-1, respectively. This report provides comprehensive genomic analysis of MDR-B in irrigation water in Lebanon. Our results further support that fecally contaminated irrigation water can be reservoirs of important MDR-B, which can spread to adjacent agricultural fields and other water bodies, posing both public health and food safety issues. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement effective water quality monitoring and management programs to control the proliferation of antibiotic resistant pathogens in irrigation water in Lebanon. |
| Authors |
Marwan Osman  , Dina Daaboul , Anahita Ghorbani Tajani  , Khaled El Omari , Bledar Bisha , Jouman Hassan , Casey L. Cazer , Kathryn J. Fiorella , Nabil Karah , Aula Abbara , Monzer Hamze , Kevin J. Cummings , Thierry Naas , Issmat I. Kassem
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| Journal Info |
Elsevier BV | Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance , vol: 36
, pages: 175 - 180
|
| Publication Date |
3/1/2024 |
| ISSN |
2213-7165 |
Type |
article |
| Open Access |
gold
|
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgar.2023.12.016 |
| Keywords |
Multidrug Resistance (Score: 0.567369) , Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria (Score: 0.558242) , Antibiotic Resistance (Score: 0.551043) , Antimicrobial Resistance Genes (Score: 0.502297)
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