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Microbiology: Current Research 2017
Volume 1 Issue 2
Notes:
Microbes Infection 2017
September 28-29, 2017 | London, UK
Microbes Infection
38
th
Annual congress on
Karina Gin, Microbiology: Current Research 2017
Tracking antibiotic resistance from hospitals to
the environment
Statement of Problem:
An emerging health problem is
the increase of antibiotic resistant pathogens arising from
indiscriminant usage of antibiotics, and the transfer of
antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) between pathogens via
mobile genetic elements. Last-resort antibiotics, such as
extended-spectrum β-lactam (ESBLs) and carbapenems
used in the treatment of patients have resulted in the spread
of carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
(CRE) extending
beyond the hospital setting. Hospital wastewaters in particular
are important sources of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB)
and ARGs. Hence determining the removal efficiencies in
wastewater treatment processes, and the occurrences of ARB
and ARGs in the urban environment (surface waters) and sites
of aquaculture activity (fish farms) provides bearing on the
spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Methodology:
Metagenomics, qPCR and culturing methods
were used as an assessment of ARB and ARGs in hospital
and domestic wastewaters. Gram-negative pathogens
(i.e.
Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa
) at high concentrations exhibited pheno- and
genotypic resistance (e.g.
bla
KPC
,
bla
NDM
genes) to ESBL and
carbapenem antibiotics. To characterize the occurrence
and risk of these antibiotic resistant pathogens in the urban
water cycle and environmental waters, samples were tested
on a routine basis using selective media supplemented with 5
different classes of antibiotics.
Findings:
The membrane bioreactor treatment (MBR) process
of a wastewater treatment plant showed complete removal of all
four pathogens (influentMBR), however there were periods
where
E. coli,
K.
pneumonia
and P.
aeruginosa
were detected
in MBR effluent (6-7 log removal). Of the P. aeruginosa
isolates detected, a few exhibited phenotypic resistance to
carbapenem and ESBL antibiotics. In environmental waters,
higher abundance of pathogens was detected in urban surface
waters followed by aquaculture sites than marine sites within
the vicinity of and outfall discharging treated effluent.
Conclusion & Significance:
A comprehensive surveillance
framework was developed to track hotspots of antimicrobial
resistance in the urban water cycle and the spread of ARB and
ARGs in the environment.
Biography
Karina Gin is an Associate Professor at the Civil & Environmental Engineering
Department at the National University of Singapore (NUS). She received her BEng in
Civil Engineering from the University of Melbourne (1988), MEng Degree from NUS
(1991) and Doctor of Science (ScD) Degree jointly from the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (1996). Her research
specialisation is in water quality, especially in the development of rapid and sensitive
methods of detection for emerging contaminants of concern and understanding their
fate and transport in the environment. Her current research focuses on the occurrence
and fate of pathogens and emerging organic contaminants in tropical surface waters
and harmful algal blooms in fresh waters. She received UN Atlas Award for excellence
(co-author of "The Environment in Asia Pacific Harbours"). She is a member of the
WHO Expert Group on Antimicrobial Resistance in Water Safety and Hygiene and is
currently holding the Dean’s Chair at the Faculty of Engineering (NUS).
ceeginyh@nus.edu.sgKarina Gin
National University of Singapore, Singapore