Superbugs Contaminating Stagnant and Flowing Freshwater in the Province of Tungurahua, Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction: Water is the vital element that ensures the balance of ecosystems. In recent years, environmental pollution has altered the natural state of water, transforming it into a breeding ground for certain pathogenic bacteria known as superbugs. These bacteria produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), which are enzymes that confer multi-resistance to most antibiotics. These enzymes are in bacterial genetic elements such as integrons or inserted into mobile elements such as transposons, plasmids, and efflux pumps, causing therapeutic failures. Currently, these bacteria are found in rivers and pools as community pathogens, causing gastrointestinal, genitourinary infections, and septicemias that are difficult to treat. Objective: To identify ESBL-producing bacteria in 25 pools and 5 rivers in the Province of Tungurahua. Methodology: A descriptive field study with a qualitative-quantitative approach, non-probabilistic sampling was conducted to demonstrate the presence of ESBL-producing bacteria and to discriminate sensitivity and resistance to various antibiotics. Results: The strains isolated in the rivers were ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella, showing sensitivity to meropenem, doripenem, ertapenem, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin, resistant to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ticarcillin/clavulanic acid, and piperacillin/tazobactam. In the pools, ESBL-producing E. coli, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas were isolated, with sensitivity to levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and resistance to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, piperacillin/tazobactam, and aztreonam.
Conclusion: The research reveals a significant impact on the contamination in the studied rivers and pools, with the presence of ESBL-producing bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics. The results highlight issues that challenge current regulations, the lack of consideration of these microorganisms in Ecuadorian regulations underscores the urgent need to review and strengthen water quality standards, incorporating strict microbiological indicators that do not threaten health and biodiversity.