African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5242

Full Length Research Paper

Profiling of meropenem-resistant bacteria in a river receiving wastewater effluent from a pharmaceutical industrial unit

Sung Ho Hwang
  • Sung Ho Hwang
  • National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
  • Google Scholar
Young Jin Kim
  • Young Jin Kim
  • Chung Ryong Environment Co., Ltd., 5-209, 20, Digital-ro 31-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 15 October 2021
  •  Accepted: 12 January 2022
  •  Published: 28 February 2022

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to understand the seasonal occurrence and diversity of species of meropenem-resistant bacteria in the Gumuncheon river receiving effluents from a pharmaceutical industry in Seoul, Korea.Water samples were collected from the Gumuncheon river in Kyoung-gi province during winter (January), spring (April), summer (August), and fall (November) of 2018. Water samples were plated in triplicate on tryptic soy agar plates containing 16 mg/L meropenem. Meropenem-resistant bacteria were isolated and genetically identified using 16S rRNA analysis. The predominant bacterial genera identified were Elizabethkingia, Pseudomonas, Chryseobacterium and Stenotrophomonas. Among these; Pseudomonas species Pseudomonas chengduensis and Pseudomonas taiwanesis showed resistance against 15 antibiotics. To prevent the occurrence and spread of meropenem-resistant bacteria in rivers, it is necessary to implement methods that can simultaneously kill multi-drug resistant bacteria and remove antibioticsfrom pharmaceutical industry effluent discharge. Further, to stop the spread of meropenem-resistant bacteria in environment, effluent discharge water should be stringently assessed for their risk of being an environmental hazard.

 

Key words: Carbapenem, Meropenem, Multi-drug resistant, Elizabethkingia, Pseudomonas, Chryseobacterium, Stenotrophomonas.