Environmental Surveillance of Gram-Negative Bacteria and bla Genes in Hospital Facilities and Surrounding Waters in Thailand

Abstract

To reveal the real time prevalent situation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and bla genes in Thailand, we monitored 83 isolates of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) from hospital facilities and surrounding environmental waters. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed. Polymerase chain reactions were employed for bla gene detection. Disk diffusion was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. As a result, Enterobacter mori (20%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.14%) were prevalent in hospital facilities, while K. pneumoniae (27.08%) and Enterobacter cloacae (14.58%) prevailed in water samples. Ampicillin resistance rates were highest, at 65.71% and 66.67% in hospital and water isolates, respectively. Enterobacter species from water samples exhibited multidrug-resistant characteristics. blaSHV and blaTEM were highly prevalent, 91.43% and 89.58% in various bacterial species from hospital facilities and water samples, respectively. The coexistence of blaSHV and blaTEM and blaNDM was the most common overall (16.87%). The prevalence of the same bacterial species and bla genes in both sectors suggests the cross-transfer of ARGs and resistant bacteria between different environments, hospital and water. The findings emphasize concerns about the safety of water sources and bacterial contamination in hospital facilities. © 2018-2025, Rangsit University.