Quinolone Resistance Genes in Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Drinking Water Sources in Katsina Metropolis, Nigeria.

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is becoming more resistant to quinolones. A rising public health concern is quinolone resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, especially in underdeveloped nations where untreated or inadequately treated water may act as a reservoir for resistant bacteria. In this study, multidrug-resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa isolated from drinking water sources in Katsina metropolis, Nigeria, was examined for the presence of quinolone resistance genes.

Forty-five (45) samples of drinking water were taken from sachet water, boreholes, and wells at five different locations in Katsina metropolis. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used to test for antibiotic susceptibility after cetrimide agar was used for isolation. Using traditional PCR, thirteen MDR P. aeruginosa isolates were chosen at random for molecular identification of the quinolone resistance genes (qnrA and ParC).

The highest prevalence (71.1%, 32/45) of P. aeruginosa was detected well and borehole water samples. There was widespread phenotypic resistance to antibiotics related to quinolones. Among the 13 MDR isolates screened, qnrA was detected exclusively in borehole water isolates, while ParC was found only in well water isolates. There were no quinolone resistance genes found in the isolates of sachet water.

The discovery of the qnrA and ParC genes in P. aeruginosa from sources of untreated drinking water emphasizes how environmental reservoirs contribute to the spread of quinolone resistance. In order to avoid possible exposure at the community level, these findings emphasize the critical necessity for ongoing monitoring of water quality and antibiotic resistance.

Keywords: Drinking water, qnrA, ParC, quinolone resistance, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Katsina, Nigeria.