E. Coli Found in Drinking Water in France

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E. Coli Found in Drinking Water in France

This is the first time, that we know of, that antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been found in a highly developed country.

New paper Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy published in the American Society for Microbiology journal says that researchers have found antibiotic resistant E. coli. in multiple drinking water supplies in France.

Based on whether the water supply systems had any failures in the past 3 years, 28 supply systems in France were chosen to test for ESBL - Escherichia coli isolate. Samples were collected at the entrance of the water in the distribution system.

One-liter samples were collected in sterile bottles with sodium thiosulfate. They were kept in ice-boxes while transported to the Anses Nancy laboratory, where they were tested as 100 ml samples. They were tested by membrane filtration and growth on selective media (NF EN ISO 58 9308-1 method) in order to determine whether coliforms are present.

E. coli isolates were found in all samples in ranges from 1 to 45 cfu/100 mL.  

Since stx1, stx2 and eae genes were not present, the isolates are not considered virulent.

All isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility to 32 antibiotics by disk diffusion. 6 E. coli isolates from 6 different water supplies are resistant to at least one antimicrobial.  

VJZYqty.jpgResearchers stress out the expanding reservoirs of the resistance genes, including reservoirs in the environment.

A direct contamination source with waterborne pathogens for people is drinking water.

There is a number of studies about resistance gene-contaminated water in developing countries that don’t have good water supply systems and sanitation facilities.

However, this is the first study that looks into the problem in a high-income country.

The research about antibiotic resistant bacteria in drinking water in France can be found online.

Occasionally spectrum beta-lactamases (the enzyme in question - ESBL) are found, though these resistant bacteria should not be present.

E. coli in water is an indicator of fecal contamination and according to the European legislation there should be absolutely no E. coli in water whatsoever.

If cultivable bacteria are present in drinking water, virulence genes can spread.

The resistance is spread since parts of DNA transfer from one species of bacteria to another.

Escherichia coli are bacteria found in the environment, food and peoples’ lower intestines. Some of the strains of E. coli can make people unwell, while other are harmless.

Some strains of E. coli can develop the resistance to commonly used antibiotics, making them less effective with every following usage. The resistance to a certain antibiotic depends on the susceptibility patterns of the geographical region.

France takes seriously this E. coli contamination. In general, they are continuously improving their water as they are led by the fact that people in developed countries should not buy bottled water but have good water supply systems.

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