Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) Producing Enterobacteria in Aquatic Environmental Sources of Bangladesh

Submitted 11 Jan 2017; Accepted 6 Feb 2017; Published 13 Feb 2017 Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteria has become a considerable global concern because of their potential dissemination in humans, in domestic animals, wildlife and the environment. The present study aimed to explore the ESBL producing enterobacteria in aquatic sources of Bangladesh as the water may be the potential source of dissemination of this alarming antimicrobial resistance. A total of 94 water samples (53 tube well and 41 supplied water) were collected from 35 districts of Bangladesh from which 60 Enterobacter were isolated based on their biochemical profile. Among these 36 were Enterobacter sp and 24 were E coli. 73% of the isolates were Multidrug resistant (MDR) as revealed by Antimicrobial susceptibility test whereas 29% of these MDR isolates were phenotypically detected as ESBL producing as observed by Double disk synergy test (DDST) test. The ESBL type SHV was found to be dominant among the isolates revealed by PCR. Therefore, strategies can be employed to reduce the dissemination of ESBL producing bacteria in the aquatic sources which may threaten the human life, animal and surrounding environment.