18 - Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing Enterobacteriaceae in North Georgia Waters

Abstract

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, ESBLs, are enzymes produced by bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae. ESBLs can evolve quickly, granting resistance to many commonly used antibiotics such as penicillin. They function by breaking down the beta-lactam ring structure ring essentially rendering antibiotics useless in treatments. The encoding genes of ESBLs are found on bacterial plasmids. Thus, these genes can be shared between members of Enterobacteriaceae via horizontal and vertical transmission, bearing both a threat and challenge to society due to their multi-drug resistance. Microbes able to produce ESBLs can spread via water environments originating from a variety of contaminated sources such as treatment plants and healthcare facilities. This on-going study focuses on the identification of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae from three streams with varying degrees of industrialization impact. Water samples were obtained from each stream and ESBL-producing bacteria were isolated. Antibiotic sensitivity of each isolation was tested through the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method utilizing different generations of antibiotics. DNA from the isolates were extracted and confirmation of the presence of one or more ESBL encoding genes concluded.

Keywords: antibiotic, ESBL, bla genes