Prevalence of Carbapenem-Resistant E. coli in Drinking Water from Rural Areas of Gurugram, Haryana

Abstract

This study investigates the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli in drinking water from rural areas of Gurugram, Haryana, India. Over 120 water samples were collected from various sources (public taps, kitchen taps, bathroom taps, and borewells) across three seasons (monsoon, winter, and summer). The results indicated only 4.17% of groundwater samples showed contamination. While as in the municipal tap water samples from different sources reveal varying levels of E. coli contamination. Public taps exhibited the highest contamination, with 33.33% of samples testing positive for E. coli, while 66.67% showed no microbial growth. Bathroom taps had a lower contamination rate, with 23.33% of samples positive for E. coli and 76.67% showing no growth. Kitchen taps were the least contaminated, with 13.33% of samples positive for E. coli and 86.67% showing no growth. These results indicate that public taps are more prone to E. coli contamination compared to bathroom and kitchen taps. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed significant resistance to Cefuroxime (58.33%), followed by Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid (54.17%), Ciprofloxacin (50%), and Co-trimoxazole (45.83%). Notably, all isolates were fully susceptible to Amikacin (0% resistance). The lowest resistance rates were recorded against Ertapenem, Imipenem, and Meropenem, each at 4.17%. These results indicate that only one of the 24 isolates exhibited Carbapenem resistance, which was further confirmed by PCR analysis revealing the presence of carbapenemase genes, blaOXA-48 and blaNDM. The findings highlight the potential health risks associated with the municipal water supply and underscore the need for improved water quality monitoring and management in the region.