Occurrence of extended-spectrum ß-lactamases-producing Escherichia coli isolates over gradient pollution in an urban tropical estuary.

Bacterial resistance to antimicrobials is a global public health problem that surpasses the human context and can be increased by pollution. However, the lack of systematic monitoring of resistance in some aquatic matrices, such as tropical estuaries, makes it unknown whether its occurrence is associated with anthropogenic pollution in these environments. Therefore, we investigated the occurrence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) producing Escherichia coli as a resistance indicator for 12 consecutive months at three representative points of a pollution gradient in Guanabara Bay (GB), Brazil. Sixty-six E. coli strains were selected from 72 samples of GB waters in the presence of ceftriaxone (8 µg mL-1 ) and identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Of the 66, 55 (83.3%) strains were ESBL producers. They carried beta-lactamase/ESBL genes, with the predominance of blaCTX-M (54, 98.2%), especially the blaCTX-M-1,2 allele (49.1%). These strains were detected frequently (81.8%) from the point with the highest pollution levels. Furthermore, the marker for Class 1 integron, intI1 gene, was detected in 54.5% of ESBL producers. These data suggest an association between antimicrobial-resistant E. coli and sewage pollution in aquatic environments raising concerns about the possible risks of human exposure to these waters and fish consumption.

Time for a Change! A Spotlight on Many Neglected Facets of Sponge Microbial Biotechnology.

The sponge-microorganism partnership is one of the most successful symbiotic associations exploited from a biotechnological perspective. During the last thirty years, sponge-associated bacteria have been increasingly harnessed for bioactive molecules, notably antimicrobials and cytotoxic compounds. Unfortunately, there are gaps in sponge microbial biotechnology, with a multitude of applications being understudied or ignored. In this context, the current perspective aims to shed light on these underrated facets of sponge microbial biotechnology with a balance of existent reports and proposals for further research in the field. Our overview has showcased that the members of the sponge microbiome produce biomolecules whose usage can be valuable for several economically- relevant and demanding sectors. Outside the exhaustive search for antimicrobial secondary metabolites, sponge-associated microorganisms are gifted producers of antibiofilm, antivirulence and chronic diseases-attenuating substances highly envisaged by the pharmaceutical industry. Despite still at an infant stage of research, anti-ageing enzymes and pigments of special interest for the cosmetic and cosmeceutical sectors have also been reported from the sponge microbial symbionts. In a world urging for sustainability, sponge-associated microorganisms have been proven as fruitful resources for bioremediation, including recovery of heavy-metal contaminated areas, bioleaching processes, and as bioindicators of environmental pollution. In conclusion, we propose alternatives to better assess these neglected biotechnological applications of the sponge microbiome in the hope of sparking the interest of the scientific community toward their deserved exploitation.

Antibiotic and Heavy Metal Susceptibility of Non-Cholera Vibrio Isolated from Marine Sponges and Sea Urchins: Could They Pose a Potential Risk to Public Health?

Vibrio is an important human and animal pathogen that can carry clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes and is present in different aquatic environments. However, there is a knowledge gap between antibiotic and heavy metal resistance and virulence potential when it is part of the microbiota from marine invertebrates. Here, we aimed to evaluate these characteristics and the occurrence of mobile genetic elements. Of 25 non-cholera Vibrio spp. from marine sponges and sea urchins collected at the coastlines of Brazil and France analyzed in this study, 16 (64%) were non-susceptible to antibiotics, and two (8%) were multidrug-resistant. Beta-lactam resistance (blaSHV) and virulence (vhh) genes were detected in sponge-associated isolates. The resistance gene for copper and silver (cusB) was detected in one sea urchin isolate. Plasmids were found in 11 (44%) of the isolates. This new information allows a better comprehension of antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments, since those invertebrates host resistant Vibrio spp. Thus, Vibrio associated with marine animals may pose a potential risk to public health due to carrying these antibiotic-resistant genes.

Shewanella harboring antimicrobial and copper resistance genes in sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) from the Crozon peninsula (Brittany, France).

Shewanella is a genus of aquatic non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria with increasing numbers of reports of infections in humans and appearance of antimicrobial resistant strains. Cases of infection show a relatively strong association with seafood consumption or exposure to seawater. This study aimed to analyze Shewanella spp. isolated from the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus collected from the Crozon peninsula (France) with the intention of obtaining insights into the role of this genus as a reservoir of antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance genes. Five among seven Shewanella isolates were resistant to antimicrobials, mainly to broad spectrum beta-lactams. Four isolates displayed multiple resistance to at least three of these antimicrobial classes: broad spectrum beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, macrolide, quinolones and/or tetracycline. Three antimicrobial resistance genes were detected in just one isolate encoding resistance to beta-lactam (blaSHV and blaTEM-1) and macrolide (ermB). In addition, the copper resistance gene cusB, was observed in this isolate which is also a plasmid carrier. Another copper resistance encoding gene, copA, was found among the isolates. These results indicate that the multidrug-resistant (MDR) Shewanella isolates and resistance genes could be potential risks to public health, due to the carrying of these MDR bacteria by sea urchins through human consumption.

ANÁLISE BACTERIOLÓGICA DA ÁGUA E O PERFIL DE SUSCEPTIBILIDADE AOS ANTIMICROBIANOS DAS ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLADAS / WATER BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND THE ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PROFILE OF ISOLATED ESCHERICHIA COLI / ANÁLISIS BACTERIOLOGICO DEL AGUA Y EL PERFIL DE SUSCEPTIBILIDAD ANTIMICROBIANA DE LAS ESCHERICHIA COLI AISLADAS

Objetivo: analisar a qualidade microbiológica das águas residenciais e dos rios Cuiabá e Coxipó, assim como determinar o perfil de susceptibilidade aos antimicrobianos das estirpes de Escherichia coli isoladas. Método: foram coletadas 42 amostras de água no município de Cuiabá-MT, sendo 40 residenciais e uma de cada rio. Realizou-se testes para coliformes totais e termotolerantes, semeadura em ágar EMB, prova de indol e teste de sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos (TSA). Resultados: 2,5% das amostras residenciais e as duas amostras fluviais foram positivas para coliformes totais e termotolerantes. Através dos testes bioquímicos, foram isoladas e identificadas sete estirpes de E. coli das amostras dos rios. No TSA, constatou-se que as bactérias de estudo foram sensíveis a oito antimicrobianos testados, demonstrando resistência somente à penicilina G. Conclusão: mesmo com as intempéries inerentes ao sistema de distribuição, a qualidade da água que chega nas residências cuiabanas é majoritariamente ideal. As águas dos rios estão sendo impactadas pelo despejo de esgotos in natura. A alta sensibilidade das estirpes dos rios aos antimicrobianos indica que ou se originaram de animais silvestres ou de humanos e animais domésticos que pouco entraram em contato com antimicrobianos para produzir pressão seletiva nas estirpes de E. coli da microbiota.

Objective: to evaluate the microbiological quality of residential and Cuiabá and Coxipó rivers water, and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of isolated Escherichia coli strains. Method: 42 water samples were collected in the city of Cuiabá- MT, 40 residential and one in the river. We conducted tests for total and thermotolerant coliforms, sowing on agar EMB, indole test and susceptibility testing to antimicrobial (STA). Results: 2.5% of residential samples and two river samples were positive for total and thermotolerant coliforms. By means of biochemical tests, they were isolated and identified seven strains of E. coli from rivers samples. In the TSA, it was found that the study of bacteria were sensitive to eight antimicrobials tested, showing only resistance to penicillin G. Conclusion: even with the elements inherent to the distribution system, the quality of water arriving at cuiabanas homes is mostly ideal. The rivers' waters are being impacted by the disposal of sewage in natura. The high sensitivity of the strains from rivers to antimicrobials indicates that either originated from wild animals or humans and domestic animals that came little into contact with antimicrobials to produce selective pressure on strains of E. coli microbiota.

Objetivo: evaluar la calidad microbiológica del agua residencial y ríos Cuiabá y Coxipó, así como determinar el perfil de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana de cepas de Escherichia coli aisladas. Método: se recogieron 42 muestras de agua en la ciudad de Cuiabá, 40 residenciales y una en cada río. Se realizaron pruebas para coliformes totales y termotolerantes, siembra en agar EMB, prueba de indol y pruebas de sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos (PSA). Resultados: el 2,5% de las muestras residenciales y dos muestras de los ríos fueron positivos para coliformes totales y termotolerantes. Por medio de pruebas bioquímicas, se aislaron y se identificaron siete cepas de E. coli en las muestras de ríos. En el PSA, las bacterias en estudio fueron sensibles a ocho antimicrobianos analizados, mostrando sólo resistencia a la penicilina G. Conclusión: incluso con los elementos inherentes al sistema de distribución, la calidad del agua que llega a los hogares cuiabanos es, en su mayoría, ideal . Las aguas de los ríos están siendo afectados por la eliminación de aguas residuales in natura. La alta sensibilidad de las cepas de los ríos a los antimicrobianos indica que, o bien se originó a partir de animales salvajes o de humanos y animales domésticos que poco contactaron con antimicrobianos para producir una presión selectiva sobre las cepas de E. coli de la microbiota.