Identificación de genes de resistencia a antimicrobianos en especies bacterianas presentes en cuerpos de agua urbanos y alcantarillado hospitalario del sur del Distrito Metropolitano de Quito

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a priority threat to global health, and there is still little evidence of its presence in urban aquatic environments in the southern part of the Metropolitan District of Quito. In this study, samples were collected from the Parque de las Cuadras lagoon and the Padre Carollo Hospital sewer system, observing reduced bacterial growth in the lagoon in contrast to elevated concentrations at the hospital. From the latter environment, the most interesting isolates were obtained: Proteus mirabilis and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, characterized using classical microbiology, phenotypic testing, and whole genome sequencing. The analysis revealed genes for resistance to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, quinolones and polymyxins, as well as efflux pumps (MacABCsm, EmrABE, Smra), class 1 integrons, Tn3 transposons and operons linked to colistin resistance (arnBCADTEF, phoP).