Possible Acquisition of ESBL-mediated Antimicrobial Resistance by Farmers from Aquatic Reservoir used for Bathing and Cleaning of Water Buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) with Intestinal Carriage of ESBL Producing Escherichia coli

Abstract

Little information is available on the risk of human subjects for acquisition of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from aquatic environment other than those treated with antimicrobials for aquaculture. Carriage of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase categories of AMR by enteric bacteria in livestock have been frequently reported. Dissemination of these categories of AMR to the environment thus poses a threat for their transmission to farmers engaged in livestock care posing a severe public health hazard. A study on the prevalence of ESBL- and carbapenemase-mediated AMR among Escherichia coli isolated from earth pond environment used for bathing and cleaning of buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) and from human subjects engaged in such activity revealed isolation rate of ESBL positivity to be higher in human subjects engaged in washing and bathing of buffalos (37.5%) compared to those without engagement in such activities (20.7%) with CTX-M type ESBL, a group of class A ESBL, as the predominant molecular type (97.4%). While no carbapenemase positivity could be detected among E. coli isolated from pond environment or buffalos, small percentage of carbapenemase could be detected among the E. coli isolated from human subjects although the risk was not higher than those not associated with bathing and cleaning of buffalos. Bathing and cleaning of buffalos could potentially facilitate transmission of ESBL resistance from livestock to human subjects in pond environment.