Detection of Salmonella Typhi and bla CTX-M Genes in Drinking Water, Wastewater, and Environmental Biofilms in Sindh Province, Pakistan
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Abstract
Typhoid fever poses a significant public health risk, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to clean water and improved sanitation may be limited. In Pakistan, this risk is especially serious given the emergence of an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Salmonella Typhi strain, a strain attributed to S . Typhi acquisition of the bla CTX-M-15 gene. The now-dominant XDR S . Typhi strain, non-XDR S . Typhi, and bla CTX-M genes are readily disseminated via drinking water and wastewater in Pakistan and may also be present in biofilms associated with these environmental sources. This study investigates the presence of S . Typhi and bla CTX-M genes within these environmental compartments. Drinking water (n=35) or wastewater samples (n=35) and samples of their associated biofilms were collected from Karachi and Hyderabad, Pakistan. Samples were tested by PCR for S . Typhi and bla CTX-M group 1 genes as a proxy for bla CTX-M-15 . Heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) were conducted to assess microbial load. S . Typhi was detected by PCR in one bulk wastewater sample and one drinking water biofilm. Bla CTX-M group 1 genes were detected in all sample types and were detected more frequently in bulk wastewater (n=13/35) than in drinking water (n=2/35) and more frequently overall in biofilm samples (n=22/70) versus bulk water (n=15/70). Detection of bla CTX-M in biofilm was not significantly associated with detection in the associated bulk water sample. This study marks the first detection of S . Typhi in drinking water biofilms and the first report of bla CTX-M genes in environmental biofilms in Pakistan. Environmental biofilms, particularly in drinking water systems, may serve as reservoirs for human exposure to S . Typhi and drug resistance genes. This study underscores the importance of expanding surveillance strategies to include biofilm sampling, providing valuable insights into pathogen dissemination in water systems, and informing targeted public health interventions to prevent waterborne diseases.
Article activity feed
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Pengbo Liu
Review 3: "Detection of Salmonella Typhi and blaCTX-M Genes in Drinking Water, Wastewater, and Environmental Biofilms in Sindh Province, Pakistan"
Overall, reviewers find that this study builds on previous work on the role of biofilm as a pathogen reservoir in urban water systems. However, they expressed concerns about the strength of evidence to support its claims.
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Ying Guo
Review 2: "Detection of Salmonella Typhi and blaCTX-M Genes in Drinking Water, Wastewater, and Environmental Biofilms in Sindh Province, Pakistan"
Overall, reviewers find that this study builds on previous work on the role of biofilm as a pathogen reservoir in urban water systems. However, they expressed concerns about the strength of evidence to support its claims.
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Chamteut Oh
Review 1: "Detection of Salmonella Typhi and blaCTX-M Genes in Drinking Water, Wastewater, and Environmental Biofilms in Sindh Province, Pakistan"
Overall, reviewers find that this study builds on previous work on the role of biofilm as a pathogen reservoir in urban water systems. However, they expressed concerns about the strength of evidence to support its claims.
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Strength of evidence
Reviewers: C Oh (University of Florida) | 📒📒📒 ◻️◻️
Y Guo (Cranfield University) | 📗📗📗📗◻️
P Liu (Emory University) | 📘📘📘📘📘 -
Strength of evidence
Reviewers: C Oh (University of Florida) | 📒📒📒 ◻️◻️
Y Guo (Cranfield University) | 📗📗📗📗◻️
P Liu (Emory University) | 📘📘📘📘📘 -
