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Patterns and persistence of antibiotic resistance in faecal indicator bacteria from freshwater recreational beaches
Author(s) -
Alm E. W.,
Zimbler D.,
Callahan E.,
Plomaritis E.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.12512
Subject(s) - persistence (discontinuity) , biology , bacteria , antibiotic resistance , antibiotics , resistance (ecology) , ecology , microbiology and biotechnology , zoology , geotechnical engineering , engineering , genetics
Aims This study was conducted to determine antibiotic susceptibility patterns among the faecal indicator bacteria ( FIB ), Escherichia coli and enterococci, and to determine the potential for freshwater beaches to serve as reservoirs of resistance genes where transfer of resistant phenotypes takes place or de novo resistance may evolve. Methods and Results One hundred and forty‐seven E. coli and 150 enterococci collected from sand and water at recreational beaches along Lake Huron, Michigan, USA were screened against commonly used antibiotics. Resistance was apparent in both E. coli (19% resistant) and enterococci (65% resistant). Antibiotic‐resistant E. coli were capable of growing in beach sand microcosms and were able to transfer a plasmid‐encoded kanamycin‐resistance gene in sand microcosms. Furthermore, resistant phenotypes were stable in the sand environment even in the absence of the corresponding antibiotic. Conclusions Antibiotic‐resistant FIB were prevalent and persistent in the beach habitat. Significance and Impact of the Study Active populations of FIB at beaches express antibiotic resistance phenotypes and have the ability to transfer antibiotic resistance. These human‐associated bacteria may be intermediaries in the movement of resistance between environmental and clinical reservoirs.