36. Quantification and Modeling of Extended- Spectrum Beta Lactamases and Coliforms in a Creek in Hall County, Georgia, USA.

Abstract

Coliforms are rod-shaped, Gram-negative bacteria that are part of the normal gut microbiome of warm-blooded animals. Therefore, their presence in the water is an important indicator of water quality. Many coliforms contain Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBLs) enzymes, which cleave beta-lactam rings of antibiotics such as ampicillin, making the antibiotics ineffective. Bacteria that secrete ESBLs have previously been identified in a creek in Northeast Georgia that feeds into Lake Sidney Lanier. Point sources of pollution potentially impacting this creek include: a poultry plant, multiple parks, and industrialized areas. If a large number of antibiotic resistant bacteria and coliforms are found in this water source, this may be indicative that antibiotic resistance in tributaries may be more widespread. If other tributaries that feed into Lake Sidney Lanier show the presence of ESBLs and coliforms, antibiotic resistant bacteria may be found in water sources for Metro Atlanta. The goal of this research is to gather data quantifying the amount of ESBL producing bacteria and coliform bacteria at multiple collection sites during all seasons along the tributary of study by using a Most Probable Number (MPN) analysis for ESBL producing bacteria, and the IDEXX system for coliforms to produce a geospatial model based on the quantification data. This model uses spatially located data and point sources near the collection sites to identify unknown point sources of pollution contributing to increases in ESBLs as well as the projected quantity of ESBLs within a tolerance range.