Water (May 2024)

Comprehensive Profiling of <i>Klebsiella</i> in Surface Waters from Northern Portugal: Understanding Patterns in Prevalence, Antibiotic Resistance, and Biofilm Formation

  • Sara Araújo,
  • Vanessa Silva,
  • Maria de Lurdes Enes Dapkevicius,
  • José Eduardo Pereira,
  • Ângela Martins,
  • Gilberto Igrejas,
  • Patricia Poeta

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/w16091297
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 9
p. 1297

Abstract

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This study investigates the prevalence of resistance and virulence genes in Klebsiella isolates from surface waters in Northern Portugal, within the broader context of freshwater quality challenges in Southern Europe. The aim of this research is to explain how Klebsiella dynamics, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation interact in surface waters. Antimicrobial susceptibility was examined using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method against 11 antibiotics and screening for Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) production using the double-disk synergy. PCR was employed to detect resistance and virulence genes, while biofilm production was assessed using the microplate method. Out of 77 water isolates, 33 Klebsiella (14 Klebsiella spp. and 19 K. pneumoniae strains) were isolated. ESBL production was observed in 36.8% of K. pneumoniae and 28.6% of Klebsiella spp. High resistance rates to blaCTX-U were observed in both. The papC gene was prevalent, signifying potential environmental risks. Biofilm production averaged 81.3% for K. pneumoniae and 86.9% for Klebsiella spp. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between Klebsiella’s dynamics and freshwater quality, with ESBL’s prevalence raising concerns about waterborne dissemination and public health implications. This work supports the need for vigilance of Klebsiella in surface waters in Southern Europe.

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