The Abundance of Genes Encoding ESBL, pAmpC and Non-β-Lactam Resistance in Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Recovered From Wastewater Effluents

The aquatic environments play a critical function in the widespread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, ultimately impacting human health. We evaluated abundance Enterobacteriaceae and various resistance gene determinants final effluents wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) Eastern Cape Province, Republic South Africa. A total 44 presumptive was recovered following standard isolation methods. Upon molecular confirmation through Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time flight (MALDI TOF), high predominance Klebsiella pneumoniae (24%) noted. All confirmed isolates ( n = 29) subjected to panel eighteen antibiotics categorized into eleven different classes were multidrug-resistant (MDR). They displayed against more than three classes. Notably, one E. cloacae exhibited all assayed. multiple antibiotic indices (MARI) ranged from 0.22 1.0, indicating an environment with pressure antibiotics. Conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis showed that 72.4% harboured at least β-lactamase genetic determinant. most predominant extended-spectrum β-lactamases bla CTX-M-group (21.5%), TEM (20%), SHV (16.9%) while plasmid-mediated AmpC-type CIT ACC (25.9%) EBC (22.2%). 86.2% minimum non-β-lactam determinant observed catII (25%), sulII (15.8%), sulI (14.5%). These results demonstrate (MDR) WWTPs’ effluents. study confirms need optimize current processes improve quality reduce potential risks using such water when discharged environment.