Identification of extended-spectrum β-lactamase and quinolone resistance genes in Escherichia coli isolated from hospital wastewater from central India

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), related to commonly used β-lactams and quinolones, in Escherichia coli present in hospital wastewater in central India. Methods: Cefotaxime- and ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli isolates from hospital-associated wastewater samples were collected from two tertiary care hospitals in the Ujjain district of India during 2008-09. The presence of bla CTX-M, bla TEM, bla SHV, qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac(6')-Ib-cr and qepA genes was detected by PCR and sequencing. Results: Twenty-five E. coli isolates were extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) positive. bla CTX-M-15 and bla TEM-1 genes were identified in 21 and 16 ESBL-positive isolates by PCR, respectively. Amongst 30 fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli isolates, aac(6')-Ib-cr was detected in 27 isolates, qnrA in 1 isolate, qnrB in 2 isolates and qepA in 3 isolates. Conclusions: bla CTX-M-15, bla TEM-1, aac(6')-Ib-cr, qnrA, qnrB and qepA genes are present in E. coli occurring in hospital wastewater in central India. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.