Phylogenetic Analysis and Antimicrobial Profiles of Cultured Emerging Opportunistic Pathogens (Phyla Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria) Identified in Hot Springs

Jocelyn Leonie Jardine, Akebe Luther King Abia, Vuyo Mavumengwana and Eunice Ubomba-Jaswa
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Jocelyn Leonie Jardine: Department of Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, 2094 Johannesburg, South Africa
Akebe Luther King Abia: AMBIO Environmental Management, Department of Biotechnology, Vaal University of Technology, Andries Potgieter Blvd, Private Bag X021, Vanderbijlpark 1911, South Africa
Vuyo Mavumengwana: Department of Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, 2094 Johannesburg, South Africa
Eunice Ubomba-Jaswa: Department of Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, 2094 Johannesburg, South Africa

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-18

Abstract: Hot spring water may harbour emerging waterborne opportunistic pathogens that can cause infections in humans. We have investigated the diversity and antimicrobial resistance of culturable emerging and opportunistic bacterial pathogens, in water and sediment of hot springs located in Limpopo, South Africa. Aerobic bacteria were cultured and identified using 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene sequencing. The presence of Legionella spp. was investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Isolates were tested for resistance to ten antibiotics representing six different classes: ?-lactam (carbenicillin), aminoglycosides (gentamycin, kanamycin, streptomycin), tetracycline, amphenicols (chloramphenicol, ceftriaxone), sulphonamides (co-trimoxazole) and quinolones (nalidixic acid, norfloxacin). Gram-positive Kocuria sp. and Arthrobacter sp. and gram-negative Cupriavidus sp., Ralstonia sp., Cronobacter sp., Tepidimonas sp., Hafnia sp. and Sphingomonas sp. were isolated, all recognised as emerging food-borne pathogens. Legionella spp. was not detected throughout the study. Isolates of Kocuria , Arthrobacter and Hafnia and an unknown species of the class Gammaproteobacteria were resistant to two antibiotics in different combinations of carbenicillin, ceftriaxone, nalidixic acid and chloramphenicol. Cronobacter sp. was sensitive to all ten antibiotics. This study suggests that hot springs are potential reservoirs for emerging opportunistic pathogens, including multiple antibiotic resistant strains, and highlights the presence of unknown populations of emerging and potential waterborne opportunistic pathogens in the environment.

Keywords: emerging opportunistic pathogens; hot springs; antibiotic resistance; phylogenetic analysis; Actinobacteria; Proteobacteria (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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