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Phenotypic Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Escherichia coli Isolates from Clinical UTI Samples and Municipal Wastewater in a Grenadian Community

Author

Listed:
  • Makeda Matthew-Bernard

    (Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, St. George’s University, St. George’s P.O. Box 7, Grenada)

  • Karla Farmer-Diaz

    (Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, St. George’s University, St. George’s P.O. Box 7, Grenada)

  • Grace Dolphin-Bond

    (Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, St. George’s University, St. George’s P.O. Box 7, Grenada)

  • Vanessa Matthew-Belmar

    (Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, St. George’s P.O. Box 7, Grenada)

  • Sonia Cheetham

    (Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, St. George’s P.O. Box 7, Grenada)

  • Kerry Mitchell

    (Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, St. George’s University, St. George’s P.O. Box 7, Grenada)

  • Calum N. L. Macpherson

    (School of Graduate Studies, St. George’s University, St. George’s P.O. Box 7, Grenada)

  • Maria E. Ramos-Nino

    (Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, St. George’s University, St. George’s P.O. Box 7, Grenada)

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat. This study investigated antibiotic resistance in E. coli isolates from municipal wastewater (86 isolates) and clinical urinary tract infection (UTI) cases (34 isolates) in a Grenadian community, using data from January 2022 to October 2023. Antibiogram data, assessed per WHO guidelines for Critically Important antimicrobials (CIA), showed the highest resistance levels in both clinical and wastewater samples for ampicillin, followed by amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and nalidixic acid, all classified as Critically Important. Similar resistance was observed for sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (highly important) in both groups, with nitrofurantoin showing resistance in the important category. According to the WHO AWaRe classification, ampicillin (ACCESS group) had the highest resistance, while nitrofurantoin had the lowest across all samples. The WATCH group antibiotics, cefuroxime and cefoxitin, showed comparable resistance levels, whereas aztreonam from the RESERVE group (tested only in wastewater) was 100% sensitive. Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index analysis revealed that 7% of wastewater and 38.2% of clinical samples had MAR values over 0.2, indicating prior antibiotic exposure in clinical isolates. These parallel patterns in wastewater and clinical samples highlight wastewater monitoring as a valuable tool for AMR surveillance, supporting antibiotic stewardship through ongoing environmental and clinical assessment.

Suggested Citation

  • Makeda Matthew-Bernard & Karla Farmer-Diaz & Grace Dolphin-Bond & Vanessa Matthew-Belmar & Sonia Cheetham & Kerry Mitchell & Calum N. L. Macpherson & Maria E. Ramos-Nino, 2025. "Phenotypic Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Escherichia coli Isolates from Clinical UTI Samples and Municipal Wastewater in a Grenadian Community," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(1), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:1:p:97-:d:1565194
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