Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology

Determining the antimicrobial resistance profiles of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strains from rainwater harvesting tanks in Eastern Cape, South Africa

2^nd International Conference and Expo on Water Microbiology & Novel Technologies

August 28-30, 2017 Philadelphia, USA

M S Malema, A L K Abia, R Tandlich, J Mwenge Kahinda and E Ubomba-Jaswa

CSIR, Natural Resources and the Environment, South Africa
Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa
Rhodes University, South Africa

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Microb Biochem Technol

Abstract:

Although, rainwater harvesting is practiced routinely in South Africa there is currently little research on monitoring that assesses the microbial and chemical quality of harvested rainwater, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. Furthermore, guidelines designed specifically to address the quality of harvested rainwater do not currently exist. A study was conducted in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, where harvested rainwater is commonly used for drinking and other household use to determine the possible microbial exposure of users to diarrheagenic and antimicrobial resistant E. coli strains. The need of this study is also in light of increasing evidence that shows the proliferation of multiple antibiotic resistance organisms and their associated negative health impacts. Rainwater samples were collected once a week from 11 tanks located in various areas in the Eastern Cape during the three (July -September) month winter period of 2016. Physiochemical parameters were analysed and the Colilert®18/Quanti-Tray® 2000 method was used to isolate and enumerate E. coli. Antimicrobial resistance profiles of 100 E. coli strains to 12 commonly used antibiotics were determined using the disc diffusion method. Standard values provided by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute were used to classify (sensitivity or resistance) the zones of inhibition measured. DNA extraction from purified E. coli isolates followed by RT-PCR was used to identify diarrheagenic E. coli virulence genes. Results revealed the presence of E. coli strains carrying one or more DEC virulence genes (eaeA, stx1, stx2, ipaH, eagg, st1a and st1b) as well as the presence of E. coli strains exhibiting multiple resistances to tested antibiotics. The implications of these preliminary results are off great concern, as standard antibiotic treatments in response to a waterborne disease outbreak due to diarrheagenic E. coli is likely to be ineffective and as a result E. coli infections will persist and waterborne disease will spread.