Extended-spectrum Beta -Lactamase Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Flat Creek Water Reclamation Center

Abstract

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are enzymes that are capable of degrading frequently used antibiotics such as, penicillin and cephalosporin. Organisms that produce these enzymes are therefore multi-drug resistant. ESBLs are commonly produced by the Enterobacteriaceae group of bacteria that are part of normal gut flora. Since first identified in 1893, ESBLs have become increasingly prevalent because ESBL enzymes are plasmid mediated, thus their resistant genes are easily transferred between bacteria via horizontal and vertical gene transmission. Currently, ESBLs pose a significant health threat due to their ability to cause a multitude of difficult to treat infections and are one of the leading causes of death world-wide. As of yet, there is no data on prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in North Georgia water sources. Flat creak is located in North Georgia and runs directly into Lake Lanier, which is a main source of drinking water for the Atlanta area as well as a popular spot for water recreation. We obtained efferent and afferent water samples from Flat Creek Water Reclamation Center in Hall County Georgia. These water samples were filtered, grown in an enrichment media and plated on selective media that yielded the isolation of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. We found ESBL producing enterobacteria in every sample we tested. Further identification methods revealed the presence of ESBL producing Kebsiella pneumoniae, Kebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter freundii and Escherichia coli. Following identification, disk diffusion method was used to test susceptibility of the isolates to several commonly used antibiotics. Lastly, DNA was extracted from the isolates to confirm the presence of bla genes that encode for ESBLs.