Exploring the presence, genomic traits, and pathogenic potential of extended-spectrum β-lactamase Escherichia coli in freshwater, wastewater, and hospital effluents.

Aims: The purpose of this work was to study extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) in freshwaters, hospital effluents, and wastewaters during two sampling campaigns in 2021.

Methods And Results: Water sampling was performed at 24 stations in the Ourthe watershed in Belgium. A total of 644 ESBL (n = 642) and AmpC (n = 2) E.

Antimicrobial resistant prevalence in freshwaters in Belgium and human exposure risk assessment.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the antimicrobial resistant (AR) prevalence in recreational waters in Belgium and to assess the exposure risk for bathers. Nine stations were sampled during the 2021 bathing season. A total of 912 strains were isolated and tested by the disk diffusion method in accordance with EUCAST recommendations, including Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) production.

Antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from freshwaters and hospital effluents in Belgium.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the level of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolates in freshwaters and hospital effluents in Belgium. The samples were collected from 24 locations along the Ourthe, Vesdre, Amblève and Meuse rivers and in the wastewater effluents of several hospitals. The sampling stations in rivers were classified according to the dominant land covers of the rivers (rural, urban and forest areas).