Multiresistant waterborne pathogens isolated from water reservoirs and cooling systems.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of multiple antibiotic-resistant strains of the emergent human pathogens Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and mesophilic Aeromonas species among those isolated from water reservoirs and industrial cooling systems.


RESULTS
Water from four natural water reservoirs and four industrial cooling towers was sampled for 1 year period. The total heterotrophs, mesophilic Aeromonas, Pseudomonas spp. and Legionella spp. counts were performed as recommended by standard procedures, and the sensitivity of the isolates to 27 antibiotics was tested. A total of 117 Aeromonas, 60 P. aeruginosa and 15 L. pneumophila strains were isolated and identified by means of biochemical tests and DNA probes. 46.4% of Aeromonas, and 100% of P. aeruginosa isolates presented multiple resistance. Legionella pneumophila strains were generally sensitive to the drugs used.


CONCLUSIONS
Antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria belonging to P. aeruginosa and mesophilic Aeromonas species are common in natural aquatic environments. Thus, the risk of waterborne diseases owing to domestic and industrial uses of freshwater should be re-examined from the increase of bacterial resistance point of view.


CONCLUSIONS
These data confirm the emergence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics in aquatic environments.
Blasco
M D
MD
Departamento de Microbiología y Ecología, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
Esteve
C
C
Alcaide
E
E
D016980:Aeromonas hydrophila / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018441:Biofilms; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D007221:Industry; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents