Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of clinically relevant bacteria isolated from a river in the agricultural area of the Ecuadorian Andes

Abstract

Introduction. Water contamination with antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a global problem and continues to grow due to the evolution of these microorganisms. Most waterborne diseases are caused by microorganisms found in water bodies, contaminated with human or animal feces. Objective. Identify the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of clinically relevant bacteria isolated from the Guamote River, located in an agricultural area of ​​the Ecuadorian Andes. Methodology. A descriptive study was conducted with a non-experimental field design, quantitative and transversal approach. It began with the collection of water samples in six different geographical points, to proceed with the measurement of pH, environmental and water temperature. Bacterial isolation and identification were performed by conventional tests using culture media together with biochemical tests. The antibiotic resistance profile was determined by the agar disc diffusion method. Results. Bacteria belonging to the order Enterobacterales (Citrobacter freundii, Citrobacter amalonaticus, Enterobacter cloacae, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella oxytoca), (2/15) 13.30 % corresponding to the Aeromonadaceae family and (1/15) 6.70 % to Enterococcus faecalis were identified (12/15) 80.0 %. Most of the Enterobacteriaceae showed resistance to amoxacillin, amoxacillin/clavulanic acid, aztreonam, kanamycin, colistin, tetracyclines, and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole and intermediate sensitivity to imipenem. The strains of Aeromonas sp showed resistance to amoxacillin and intermediate sensitivity to imipemem. Conclusion. There is contamination of the water of the Guamote river basin by Enterobacterales, Aeromonas sp and E. faecalis; with resistance to antibiotics of clinical use.