TARTUMAA AVALIKE SUPLUSKOHTADE VEEST ISOLEERITUD ENTEROKOKKIDE ANTIBIOOTIKUMRESISTENTSUS
Antimicrobial resistance of enterococci isolated from publik swimming waters in Tartu County
Lilian Kokk, Evi Aotäht, Mai Treial
Abstract Enterococci bacteria are part of the normal intestinal flora of humans and animals. In normal circumstances they are not found in natural waters but they can end up there by human and animal faeces and/or recreational waters. Enterococci that are found in water pose a high risk of spreading resistant genes because they can withstand different external environmental factors and therefore they can acquire and transfer their resistant genes to other bacteria. This research study is a continuation of a study that investigated the antibiotic resistance of enterococci in public outdoor bathing waters of Tartu County that took place in June and August 2014. The study was carried out in collaboration with the Health Board Laboratory in Tartu. Samples were collected in five bathing places – Anne canal, Emajõe outdoor swimming pool, Emajõe city swimming pool, lakes Verevi and Nõo. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested with 12 antibiotics: ampicillin (AMP), amoxicillin (AML), erythromycin (E), gentamicin (GEN), chloramphenicol (C), levofloxacin (LEV), linezolid (LZD), norfloxacin (NOR), tetracyclin (TE), cefoxitin (FOX), sulfamethoxazoletrimethoprim (SXT) and vancomycin (VA). In June there were 147 colonies and in August 360 colonies of enterococci isolated. Among all the enterococci isolated, 255 (50.3%) were resistant to at least one of the antimicrobials. 49 (9.7%) were resistant to two, 12 (2.4%) 8
