Could the Increased Consumption of Azithromycin during the COVID-19 Pandemic Have Affected the Sensitivity of Bacteria of Aquatic Environment to This Antibiotic?  

作　　者：Ntsama Essomba Claudine Tombedi Marie Christine Ambada Ndzengue Georgia Elna Eteme Enama Serge Leme Banock Lucie Avomo Jeanne Bilong Bilong Charles Félix Ntsama Essomba Claudine;Tombedi Marie Christine;Ambada Ndzengue Georgia Elna;Eteme Enama Serge;Leme Banock Lucie;Avomo Jeanne;Bilong Bilong Charles Félix(Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaound I, Yaound, Cameroon;Pharmacy Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaound I, Yaound, Cameroon)

机构地区：[1]Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaound I, Yaound, Cameroon [2]Pharmacy Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaound I, Yaound, Cameroon

出　　处：《Advances in Infectious Diseases》2024年第4期645-658,共14页传染病进展(英文)

摘　　要：The increased consumption of azithromycin during the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to its presence in the waterways. This study aims to evaluate the effect of this situation on aquatic bacteria. Methodology: Over a four-month period following the official recognition of the COVID-19 outbreak in Yaoundé, water samples were collected from four rivers selected on the basis of their vicinity to care centers for COVID-19. Bacteria within azithromycin’s spectrum of activity were isolated, and the antibiotic’s efficacy was tested against the most frequently isolated species. The influence of COVID-19 incidence and other external factors was also assessed. Results: The most frequently isolated bacteria were Bacillus spp., Enterococcus spp., Listeria spp. and Staphylococcus epidermidis. These strains exhibited varying levels of sensitivity to azithromycin, ranging from 0% to 100%. The observed resistance rates were 12.5%, 14.29%, 16.67%, and 0%, respectively. Neither COVID-19 incidence, proximity to hospitals, nor rainfall significantly influenced bacterial resistance rates to azithromycin (P > 0.05). These resistance levels may be attributed to the relatively short exposure of bacteria to azithromycin at the sampled locations, as well as the impact of agricultural and livestock-related chemicals, such as biocides and antibiotics, present in the watershed. Conclusion: These results highlight the need to integrate into anti-COVID-19 activities, the monitoring of bacteria’s sensitivity in aquatic environments.The increased consumption of azithromycin during the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to its presence in the waterways. This study aims to evaluate the effect of this situation on aquatic bacteria. Methodology: Over a four-month period following the official recognition of the COVID-19 outbreak in Yaoundé, water samples were collected from four rivers selected on the basis of their vicinity to care centers for COVID-19. Bacteria within azithromycin’s spectrum of activity were isolated, and the antibiotic’s efficacy was tested against the most frequently isolated species. The influence of COVID-19 incidence and other external factors was also assessed. Results: The most frequently isolated bacteria were Bacillus spp., Enterococcus spp., Listeria spp. and Staphylococcus epidermidis. These strains exhibited varying levels of sensitivity to azithromycin, ranging from 0% to 100%. The observed resistance rates were 12.5%, 14.29%, 16.67%, and 0%, respectively. Neither COVID-19 incidence, proximity to hospitals, nor rainfall significantly influenced bacterial resistance rates to azithromycin (P > 0.05). These resistance levels may be attributed to the relatively short exposure of bacteria to azithromycin at the sampled locations, as well as the impact of agricultural and livestock-related chemicals, such as biocides and antibiotics, present in the watershed. Conclusion: These results highlight the need to integrate into anti-COVID-19 activities, the monitoring of bacteria’s sensitivity in aquatic environments.

关 键 词：COVID-19 AZITHROMYCIN Aquatic Bacteria Antibiotic Resistance Yaoundé RIVERS 

分 类 号：R97[医药卫生—药品]