Predominance of genetically diverse ESBL Escherichia coli identified in resistance mapping of Vembanad Lake, the largest fresh-cum-brackishwater lake of India

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) burden in Escherichia coli along the 90 km stretch of Vembanad Lake, Kerala, India, was assessed. Seventy- seven percent of water samples drawn from 35 different stations of the lake harbored E. coli. Antibiotic susceptibility test performed on 116 E. coli isolates revealed resistance to ≥ one antibiotic with 39 AMR profiles in 81%, multidrug resistance in 30%, and extended spectrum β - lactamase (ESBL) producers in 32%. Of all the 15 antibiotics tested, the probability of isolating cefotaxime - resistant E. coli was the highest ( P ≤ 0.05) in the lake. Genetically diverse ESBL types, namely blaTEM -116, blaCTX - M -152, blaCTX - M -27, blaCTX - M - 55, blaCTX - M - 205, and blaSHV - 27, were identified in the lake. This is probably the first report in India for the presence of blaCTX - M - 205 (blaCTX - M - group 2) in the Vembanad Lake. ST11439 and single and double loci variants of ST443 and ST4533 were identified in multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Inc plasmids (B / O, F, W, I1, FIIA, HI1, P - 1α, K / B, and N) identified in the lake evidences the resistance transmission potential of the E. coli isolated from the lake. Molecular typing (ERIC - PCR, MLST, and PBRT) delineated diverse E. coli, both between and within the sampling stations. Low multiple antibiotic resistance index (average MAR < 0.2) indicates a lower risk of the lake to the human population, but the occurrence of genetically diverse ESBL E. coli in the Vembanad Lake signals health hazards and necessitates pragmatic control measures.