Antibiogram and molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus recovered from treated wastewater effluent and receiving surface water in Durban, South Africa

This study aimed to determine the antibiogram and virulence gene profiles of MRSA isolates recovered from treated wastewater effluent and receiving surface waters. Genetic fingerprinting of the isolates was also carried out to determine the phylogenetic relationship between the isolates and selected antibiogram profiles. Eighty MRSA isolates were obtained from treated effluent and receiving rivers of two WWTPs in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Antibiotic resistance was observed towards lincomycin (100%), oxacillin (98.75%), cefoxitin and penicillin (97.50%), and ampicillin (96.25%). In addition, 72.50%, 66.25%, 52.50%, 40% and 33.75% of isolates showed resistance against cefozolin, azithromycin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, erythromycin and vancomycin, respectively. Antibiotic resistance genes detected in the isolates tested in this study:aac(6′)/aph(2″) (56.25%),ermC (62.50%),msrA (22.50%), andblaZ andtetK (70%). The frequency of virulence genes:hla andsea was 57.50%,hld was 1.25%, whilelukS P/V was 0%. Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis analysis generated 13 pulsotypes (designated A –M) showing a correlation to their respective antibiograms. Findings from this study showed the presence of potentially pathogenic, multi-drug resistant MRSA in the treated effluent and receiving surface waters. This may have detrimental effects on the health of individuals who come into contact w ith these water resources.
Source: World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research