Surveillance of WHO Priority Gram-Negative Pathogenic Bacteria in Effluents from Two Seafood Processing Facilities in Tema, Ghana, 2021 and 2022: A Descriptive Study

Meldon Ansah-koi Agyarkwa (), Godfred Saviour Kudjo Azaglo, Henry Kwabena Kokofu, Ebenezer Kwabena Appah-Sampong, Esi Nana Nerquaye-Tetteh, Emmanuel Appoh, Jewel Kudjawu, Ebenezer Worlanyo, Mariam Fuowie Batong, Amos Akumwena, Appiah-Korang Labi, Mary-Magdalene Osei, Srinath Satyanarayana, Robert Fraser Terry, Marcel Manzi and Japheth A. Opintan
Additional contact information
Meldon Ansah-koi Agyarkwa: Environmental Protection Agency, Ministries, Accra P.O. Box MB 326, Ghana
Godfred Saviour Kudjo Azaglo: Environmental Protection Agency, Ministries, Accra P.O. Box MB 326, Ghana
Henry Kwabena Kokofu: Environmental Protection Agency, Ministries, Accra P.O. Box MB 326, Ghana
Ebenezer Kwabena Appah-Sampong: Environmental Protection Agency, Ministries, Accra P.O. Box MB 326, Ghana
Esi Nana Nerquaye-Tetteh: Environmental Protection Agency, Ministries, Accra P.O. Box MB 326, Ghana
Emmanuel Appoh: Environmental Protection Agency, Ministries, Accra P.O. Box MB 326, Ghana
Jewel Kudjawu: Environmental Protection Agency, Ministries, Accra P.O. Box MB 326, Ghana
Ebenezer Worlanyo: Environmental Protection Agency, Ministries, Accra P.O. Box MB 326, Ghana
Mariam Fuowie Batong: Environmental Protection Agency, Ministries, Accra P.O. Box MB 326, Ghana
Amos Akumwena: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box GP 4236, Ghana
Appiah-Korang Labi: World Health Organization Country Office, Accra P.O. Box MB 142, Ghana
Mary-Magdalene Osei: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box GP 4236, Ghana
Srinath Satyanarayana: Center for Operational Research, International Union against TB and Lung Disease, New Delhi 110016, India
Robert Fraser Terry: UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, WHO, Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Marcel Manzi: Department of Medical OCB, MSF-Belgium Headquarters, Rue de Bomel 65, 5000 Namur, Belgium
Japheth A. Opintan: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box GP 4236, Ghana

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 17, 1-11

Abstract: Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria in effluents from seafood processing facilities can contribute to the spread of AMR in the natural environment. In this study conducted in Tema, Ghana, a total of 38 effluent samples from two seafood processing facilities were collected during 2021 and 2022, as part of a pilot surveillance project to ascertain the bacterial load, bacterial species and their resistance to 15 antibiotics belonging to the WHO AWaRe group of antibiotics. The bacterial load in the effluent samples ranged from 13–1800 most probable number (MPN)/100 mL. We identified the following bacterial species: E. coli in 31 (82%) samples, K. pneumoniae in 15 (39%) samples, Proteus spp. in 6 (16%) samples, P. aeruginosa in 2 (5%) samples and A. baumannii in 2 (5%) samples. The highest levels of antibiotic resistance (100%) were recorded for ampicillin and cefuroxime among Enterobacteriaceae . The WHO priority pathogens— E. coli ( resistant to cefotaxime, ceftazidime and carbapenem) and K. pneumoniae ( resistant to ceftriaxone)—were found in 5 (13%) effluent samples. These findings highlight the need for enhanced surveillance to identify the source of AMR and multi-drug resistant bacteria and an adoption of best practices to eliminate these bacteria in the ecosystem of the seafood processing facilities.

Keywords: SORT IT; One Health; operational research; antimicrobial resistance; surveillance; WHO priority pathogens; effluent; seafood processing facilities; Environmental Protection Agency-Ghana (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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