Occurrence and Antimicrobial Resistance of <i>Arcobacter</i> spp. Recovered from Aquatic Environments

• Main Authors: Sonia Sciortino (Author), Pietro Arculeo (Author), Vincenzina Alio (Author), Cinzia Cardamone (Author), Luisa Nicastro (Author), Marco Arculeo (Author), Rosa Alduina (Author), Antonella Costa (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2021-03-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

<i>Arcobacter</i> spp. are emerging waterborne and foodborne zoonotic pathogens responsible for gastroenteritis in humans. In this work, we evaluated the occurrence and the antimicrobial resistance profile of <i>Arcobacter</i> isolates recovered from different aquatic sources. Besides, we searched for <i>Arcobacter</i> spp. in seaweeds and the corresponding seawater samples. Bacteriological and molecular methods applied to 100 samples led to the isolation of 28 <i>Arcobacter</i> isolates from 27 samples. The highest prevalence was detected in rivers followed by artificial ponds, streams, well waters, and spring waters. Seaweeds contained a higher percentage of <i>Arcobacter</i> than the corresponding seawater samples. The isolates were identified as <i>Arcobacter butzleri</i> (96.4%) and <i>Arcobacter cryaerophilus</i> (3.6%). All the isolates showed a multi-drug resistance profile, being resistant to at least three different classes of antibiotics. Molecular analysis of genetic determinants responsible for tetracycline resistance in nine randomly chosen isolates revealed the presence of <i>tetO</i> and/or <i>tetW.</i> This work confirms the occurrence and the continuous emergence of antibiotic-resistant <i>Arcobacter</i> strains in environmental samples; also, the presence of quinolone-resistant <i>Arcobacter</i> spp. in aquatic sources used for water supply and irrigation represents a potential risk for human health.

Item Description

10.3390/antibiotics10030288
2079-6382