Identification by MALDI-TOF and Resistance Profiling via Antibiogram of Bacteria from Peri-urban Waters Used for Market Gardening in the City of Korhogo

Abstract

Background: Efforts to combat antibiotic resistance in the city of Korhogo and, more broadly, the Poro region have largely focused on medical professionals and livestock farmers who use antibiotics. However, peri-urban waters in Korhogo serve as dumping grounds for household and medical waste; given that these waters are used for irrigation in market gardening, they could facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to determine the resistance profiles of all isolated microorganisms to better address this issue. Methods: The microorganisms were identified using the MALDI-TOF technique. This technique enabled accurate identification of the organisms and, crucially, provided the nomenclature of the various isolates. Susceptibility testing was performed by antibiogram following culture on Mueller-Hinton agar. Results: Eight distinct microorganisms were identified: Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Sphingobacterium thalpophilum, Alcaligenes faecalis, Staphylococcus ureilyticus, Klebsiella aerogenes, Bifidobacterium spp. and Acinetobacter baumannii. All these organisms exhibited resistance to the antibiotics tested, except for Acinetobacter baumannii, which showed multidrug resistance to the following antibiotics: amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (AMC), cefoxitin (FOX), and ceftazidime (CAZ). Conclusion: This study reveals that the peri-urban waters of the city of Korhogo are laden with microorganisms, some of which are pathogenic and resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Consequently, peri-urban waters can serve as vectors for the dissemination of resistant bacteria. In this regard, when implementing programmes to combat antimicrobial resistance, scientists must include the environmental dimension, which appears to have been overlooked.