Characterizing the co-existence of metallo-β-lactamase-producing and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in community wastewater samples of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates with multiple antibiotic-resistance genes in wastewater pose serious public health risks, as they can potentially contaminate the food and water supply. The main aim of this study was to isolate and identify E. coli and K. pneumoniae from community wastewater samples, and determine their antibiotic-resistance profiles and their antibiotic-resistant genes. From the northern part of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 36 wastewater samples were collected across 11 different areas, which were then serially diluted, and cultured using selective media. Isolates were identified via polymerase chain reaction. Out of the 197 isolates identified, E. coli and K. pneumoniae accounted for 55.8% (n = 110) and 44.2% (n = 87), respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed multidrug resistance (MDR) in 30% of E. coli and 35.56% of K. pneumoniae isolates. Among E. coli, the prevalence of antibiotic-resistance genes included bla_NDM-1 (8.9%), bla_SHV (13.9%), and bla_CTX-M (7.6%). In K. pneumoniae, the percentages were bla_NDM-1 (12.8%), bla_SHV (4.3%), and bla_CTX-M (5.0%). Co-existence of multiple antibiotic-resistance genes was observed in 4.54% of E. coli isolates (n = 5) and 5.74% of K. pneumoniae isolates (n = 5). This suggests the escalating issue of infectious species becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics in wastewater systems.