Identification of extended-spectrum -lactamase and quinolone resistance genes in Escherichia coli isolated from hospital wastewater from central India

To investigate the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), related to commonly used -lactams and quinolones, in Escherichia coli present in hospital wastewater in central India. Cefotaxime- and ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli isolates from hospital-associated wastewater samples were collected from two tertiary care hospitals in the Ujjain district of India during 200809. The presence of bla(CTX-M), bla(TEM,) bla(SHV), qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac(6)-Ib-cr and qepA genes was detected by PCR and sequencing. Twenty-five E. coli isolates were extended-spectrum -lactamase (ESBL) positive. bla(CTX-M-15) and bla(TEM-1) genes were identified in 21 and 16 ESBL-positive isolates by PCR, respectively. Amongst 30 fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli isolates, aac(6)-Ib-cr was detected in 27 isolates, qnrA in 1 isolate, qnrB in 2 isolates and qepA in 3 isolates. bla(CTX-M-15,) bla(TEM-1), aac(6)-Ib-cr, qnrA, qnrB and qepA genes are present in E. coli occurring in hospital wastewater in central India.