Molecular Characterization and Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistant
Escherichia coli Isolates Derived From Environmental Habitats
Abstract
We survey the diversity of antimicrobial resistance profiles of
Escherichia coli ( E. coli) isolates and molecular
genotypes by means of phylogenetic groups circulating in the
environment, in sewage and receiving waters bodies as well as clinical
isolates both from Boeotia regional district of Greece. The predominant
resistant profile among all environmental isolates was to penicillins -
ampicillin (AMP) and piperacillin (PIP). ESBLs resistance related
profiles were observed both in environmental and clinical isolates.
Phylogenetic group B2 was the predominant in clinical isolates, whilst
group A was dominant in environmental isolates. We report that reclaimed
river water and wastewater are reservoirs of R and MDR E. coli to
commonly used antibiotics in clinical practice posing putative threats
for human and animal health.