Abstract
This research project seeks to determine the baseline levels of antibiotic resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in a local reservoir and evaluate the potential health risks to the public. To the best of our knowledge, the spread of antimicrobial resistance through the environment and its risk to human health has not been well-researched. Water samples were collected and enumerated using a culture-based method, and the presence of K. pneumoniae was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The isolate was then analysed for its susceptibility profiles using the VITEK®2 compact system. The results showed high antibiotic resistance for over 40% of the antibiotics tested at an antibiotic resistance of over 50% (ESBL*, AMP, CFZ, CAZ, CRO, FEP, NIT), including a near complete resistance of 97.7% to ampicillin (AMP). The risk assessment results ranged from a mild risk for primary water contact (swimming) in both mid and upstream locations to low risk downstream. These findings provide useful information for policymakers in the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems and the control of antibiotic usage to prevent the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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Acknowledgements
We extend our sincere gratitude to Goh Shin Giek, our mentor from the NUS Environmental Research Institute, for her guidance throughout the project. She familiarised us with laboratory protocols and the operation of the equipment involved. Our appreciation also goes to Dr. Karina Gin for granting us access to the NUS Environmental Research Institute (NERI) laboratory facilities, enabling the successful execution of our research endeavour.
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Lee, B.R.Y., Lu, C., Janardhanan, T. (2023). Investigating the Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Singapore Surface Water: An Antibiotic Resistance Profiling and Risk Assessment Study. In: Lu, J., et al. Proceedings of the 9th IRC Conference on Science, Engineering, and Technology. IRC-SET 2023. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8369-8_45
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8369-8_45
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