In India, high rates of antibiotic consumption and poor sanitation infrastructure combine to pose a significant risk to the public through the environmental transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The WHO has declared extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-positive Escherichia coli a key indicator for the surveillance of AMR worldwide. In the current study, we measured the prevalence of AMR bacteria in an urban aquatic environment in India by detecting metabolically active ESBL-positive E. coli. Water samples were collected in duplicate from 16 representative environmental water sources including open canals, drains, and rivers around Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. We detected culturable E. coli in environmental water at 11 (69%) of the sites. Out of the 11 sites that were positive for culturable E. coli, ESBL-producing E. coli was observed at 7 (64%). The prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli detected in the urban aquatic environment suggests a threat of AMR bacteria to this region.

在印度，抗生素消费率高和卫生基础设施差，通过抗菌素耐药性 (AMR) 的环境传播对公众构成重大风险。WHO 已宣布超广谱 β-内酰胺酶 (ESBL) 阳性大肠杆菌是全球监测 AMR 的关键指标。在当前的研究中，我们通过检测代谢活跃的 ESBL 阳性大肠杆菌来测量印度城市水生环境中 AMR 细菌的流行率。从 16 个有代表性的环境水源（包括北方邦坎普尔周围的明渠、排水沟和河流）收集了两份水样。我们检测到可培养的大肠杆菌在 11 (69%) 个地点的环境水中。在可培养大肠杆菌阳性的 11 个位点中，7 个（64%）观察到产 ESBL 的大肠杆菌。在城市水生环境中检测到的产 ESBL大肠杆菌的流行表明 AMR 细菌对该地区的威胁。