Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Heavy Metal Contamination in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): A Public Health Risk Assessment in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND

The presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae and heavy metals in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) has significant public health concerns.

OBJECTIVES

This study was aimed at detecting antibiotic resistance genes in K. pneumoniae and determine the heavy metal contamination in tilapia.

METHODS

In total, 250 tilapias were aseptically collected from Khulna, Bangladesh, from 12 October to 12 November 2023. K. pneumoniae were isolated using real-time PCR targeting 16S-23S ITS, IntI, blaCTX-M, blaTEM and blaSHV genes. Disc diffusion assay and bivariate analysis were performed for investigating the antibiogram, with multivariable linear regression analysis for the potential predictors of multidrug resistance (MDR). Heavy metals were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of Klebsiella spp. was 35.6% (89/250). Out of 30 Klebsiella spp., 24 were positive for K. pneumoniae, which were highly resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin and ceftazidime. Bivariate analysis showed significant correlations between the antibiotics. MDR isolates were 70.83% (17/24), and the multiple antibiotic resistance index ranged from 0.08 to 0.7. Misuse or overuse of antibiotics was the potential predictor of MDR. Among 24 K. pneumoniae, 11 were positive for IntI, 15 for blaCTX-M, 8 for blaTEM and 13 for blaSHV. The concentrations of Cd and Zn were highest in Chitrali Bazar, Cr and Fe in Gallamary Bazar and Pb in Dumuria. For Fe, target hazard quotient values revealed a higher level of hazard index, where target cancer risk values exceeded the recommended value (<10-4).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of K. pneumoniae and heavy metals in tilapia in this study should be a matter of concern to public health risk management.