Enterobacter cloacae harbouring blaNDM-1, blaKPC, and blaOXA-48-like carbapenem-resistant genes isolated from different environmental sources in South Africa

Abstract

Pathogenic bacterial strains that cause serious infections particularly among individuals with immune-deficiency can exhibit antibiotic-resistance against the available therapeutic options thereby constituting a public health concern. In this study, we evaluated the occurrence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter species isolated from different environmental samples collected from selected study areas in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Our study further aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) profiles of the confirmed isolates recovered from hospital wastewater effluents, wastewater treatment plants and other environmental sources including river water and farm samples. Results revealed out of 142 PCR-confirmed Enterobacter spp., 115 isolates (81%) were classified as Enterobacter cloacae. The confirmed species exhibited phenotypic resistance in decreasing order for doripenem (80%), meropenem (75%), imipenem (72%) and ertapenem (66%) and carbapenem-resistance genes (CRGs) were detected in 29% of Enterobacter spp. isolates. Our findings confirm the presence of CRGs among bacterial isolates populating environmental niches.