Rise of Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia coli and the Concerning Existence of blaNDM-1 Gene in Gut Microbiota of Rural Populations

In rural communities, the blaNDM-1 gene in the gut microbiota may be contributing to the growing issue of antibiotic resistance. This gene enables bacteria to produce enzymes that break down antibiotics, making treatments less effective. The limited healthcare resources and frequent exposure to resistant bacteria in these areas could further amplify this problem, increasing the risk of difficult-to-treat infections among the population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli [E. coli] strains isolated from healthy individuals and to assess the prevalence of blaNDM-1 gene carriage. The samples were cultured and identified as gut commensal by conventional method. Then antibiotic susceptibility test using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method were carried out. Carbapenem-resistant organisms were isolated, and the blaNDM-1 was identified by polymerase chain reaction. This study includes 187 Healthy participants faecal samples were obtained from people in and around the Chengalpattu area. Out of 187 samples, 110 showed E. coli growth, 63 showed Enterococci species growth, and 14 showed no growth. Among the 110 E. coli isolates, 24 (21.8%) were sensitive to all drug classes, and 86 (78.2%) were multidrug resistant. Only 8(7.27%) of the 110 E. coli tested positive for carbapenem resistance. Out of 110 E. coli isolates, only (2.7%) had the blaNDM-1 gene. This study discovered that rural communities that are unlikely to be subjected to obvious antibiotic pressure had a high incidence of MDR microorganism faecal carriage. Finding resistance genes in commensal bacteria is alarming. This has the ability to spread and emerge in the environment.