Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria Isolated from the Surface Microlayer and Underlying Water of an Estuarine Environment

We compared the prevalence of cultivable antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes in the surface microlayer (SML) and underlying waters (UW) of an estuary. Prevalence of resistant bacteria was determined in antibiotic-supplemented agar. Bacterial isolates from the UW ( n =91) and SML ( n =80), selected in media without antibiotic, were characterized concerning susceptibility against nine antibiotics. The presence of genes bla TEM , bla OXA-B , bla SHV , bla IMP , tet(A) , tet(B) , tet(E) , tet(M) , cat , sul1 , sul2 , sul3 , aadA , IntI1 , IntI2 , and IntI3 was assessed by PCR. The variable regions of integrons were sequenced. Ampicillin- and streptomycin-resistant bacteria were significantly more prevalent in SML. Resistance levels among the bacterial collections were generally low, preventing detection of significant differences between SML and UW. The tet(E) gene was detected in two Aeromonas isolates and tet(M) was detected in a Pseudomonas isolate. Gene sul1 was amplified from three Aeromonas isolates. Prevalence of intI genes was 2.11%. Cassette arrays contained genes encoding resistance to aminoglycosides and chloramphenicol. A higher prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the SML, although only detectable when bacteria were selected in antibiotic-supplemented agar, suggests that SML conditions select for antibiotic resistance. Results also showed that antibiotic resistance was uncommon among estuarine bacteria and the resistance mechanisms are probably predominantly intrinsic.