The prevalence of extended spectrum bêta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolated in wastewater in relation to patients hospitalized in the city of Meknes in Morocco

¹ RU: Applied Hydro sciences Research Unit, Higher Institute of Water Sciences and techniques, University of Gabès, P.O. Box 6072 Tunisia
² Equipe Gestion et valorisation des ressources naturelles, Laboratoire Santé et environnement, Faculté des Sciences, Université Moulay Ismail, Meknès, Maroc
³ Laboratory of Agrophysiology, Biotechnology, Environment and Qualities, Faculty of Sciences, University IbnTofail of Kenitra

^* Corresponding author: kouarrak@yahoo.com

Abstract

The present study was conducted to better understand the specific contingency of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from urban waters of Wadi Ouislane of the city of Meknes, compared to isolates from patients hospitalized in the resuscitation department at Mohamed V Hospital in Meknes, Morocco. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become ubiquitous in effluents, creating increasing concern about their potential impact on human and animal health and the environment. We took four samples of wastewater representative of a day, effluents of the wadi Ouislane. They were analyzed for indicator germs of fecal pollution, namely total coliforms (TC) and fecal coliforms (FC). Bacteria were enumerated by the dilution-filtration technique and by incorporation in solid medium in supercooling. However, four bacteriological samples, taken for clinical purposes from hospitalized patients, were performed at the medical analysis laboratory of Mohamed V Hospital in Meknes. Analysis of our results showed that ESBL-producing E. coli bacteria isolated from our effluents had the same antibiotic resistance profiles as those from hospitalized patients. Urban wastewater discharges into the environment contribute to the dissemination of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli that may pose health risks to the population.