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Diving into the unknown: identification of antimicrobial resistance hotspots in a tropical urban estuary
Author(s) -
Canellas A.L.B.,
Costa W.F.,
Paranhos R.,
Laport M.S.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/lam.13524
Subject(s) - antibiotic resistance , antimicrobial , estuary , aeromonas , biology , vibrio , multiple drug resistance , bay , drug resistance , bacteria , vibrio cholerae , ecology , aquatic ecosystem , microbiology and biotechnology , antibiotics , geography , genetics , archaeology
Abstract Antimicrobial resistance is widely studied and well‐characterized from a clinical perspective. However, considerably less information is available regarding resistance in environmental settings, especially in aquatic habitats. This study presents data regarding the occurrence, distribution and the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacteria isolated from Guanabara Bay (GB), a heavily polluted tropical urban estuary and an important tourist attraction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Water samples from sites characterized by growing degrees of pollution were analysed by culture‐dependent methods, revealing the presence of multidrug‐resistant bacteria and clinically relevant indicators of antimicrobial resistance, such as extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamases. Isolates were identified by mass spectrometry, which indicated the presence of potential human pathogens such as Aeromonas spp. and Vibrio spp. Bacteria harbouring beta‐lactam resistance genes were also detected. Although GB is widely used as a recreational and fishing area, there is a substantial knowledge gap regarding the monitoring of antimicrobial resistance and the risk that exposure to these waters poses to public health. Thus, this study reveals new information that calls for better comprehension of antimicrobial resistance in aquatic environments, especially those used for recreational purposes.