Resistomes associated with transmissible bacterial pathogens in water and sediments from Oko-Agbon stream, Makoko, Lagos, Nigeria

Water is essential for life; however, it serves as the route of transmission for many infectious pathogens. The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in water samples poses a significant public health risk. This study aims to reveal the transmissible resistance genes linked to antibacterial resistance in bacterial pathogens found in water and sediment samples from the Oko-Agbon stream in Makoko, Lagos. The bacteria were identified using conventional methods and subsequently subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique. The MDR strains were screened for ESBLs and Carbapenemase genes phenotypically by the double disk synergy method and genotypically by PCR amplification. The ESBLs and Carbapenemase genes were expressed and visualized in agar gel electrophoresis using a standard gene ladder. A total of 41 bacterial pathogens were isolated, mainly: Bacillus spp., Enterobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Proteus spp., Klebsiella spp., E. coli, and Staphylococcus spp. The isolates were tested for their susceptibility to a panel of antibiotics using the disk diffusion method as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Multidrug resistance was recorded in 39 (95%) of the isolates. Out of those, 5 (12.8%) were profiled genetically using multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay, which revealed a resistome (blaTEM in Proteus sp., Klebsiella sp., E. coli, and Salmonella sp.) associated with beta-lactam resistance. Also, the KPC and blaOXA genes were found in Klebsiella sp. associated with Carbapenem resistance. These findings raise a significant concern since these genes encode enzymes that provide bacteria with resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics, including Carbapenem, which are the last resort in combating severe infections. Hence, it is a global health priority to control the spread of these resistant bacteria and to explore strategies for mitigating their negative impact on human health.