Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolated from Marine Sediment Samples from Kuwait Bay

Abstract

This study presents antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Escherichia coli derived from marine sediment in Kuwait. In total, 395 isolates of E. coli obtained were screened for their potential resistance to five commonly deployed frontline antibiotics by using the disk diffusion method. The results demonstrated widespread resistance across all the sites and in 98% of isolates. The highest counts were recorded in the sediment collected from sites near outfalls associated with local hospitals, where 58% of isolates screened displayed resistance to different antibiotic classes. The resistance was highest to ampicilin (beta-lactame class) > cefpodoxime (3rd generation cephalosporin class) > ciprofloxacin (flouroqunolone class) with AMR observance at 95%, 67% and 50% respectively. The latter two are wide spectrum antibiotics heavily used in Kuwait. This study demonstrates the presence of AMR bacteria in Kuwait’s marine environment, suggesting a need for environmental surveillance for AMR to be adopted as part of a One Health approach to Kuwait’s developing AMR national action plan.