Bath loofahs facilitate the growth of the microbial population and the spread of antibiotic resistance genes among individuals
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47419/bjbabs.v7i3.460Keywords:
Antibiotic resistance, Mesh bath poufs, Natural Loofah, Plasmid, TransformationAbstract
Background: Antibiotic resistance is one of the major problems nowadays. Through the processes of vertical gene transfer, or “VGT,” and horizontal gene transfer, or “HGT,” antibiotic-resistant genes can spread and multiply inside bacterial cells.
Objective: To study the resistance of microorganisms isolated from the surface of loofahs against different antimicrobial agents and to determine the site of antibiotic resistance genes by genetic transformation.
Methods: This study was conducted by collecting 40 loofah samples. The isolates, after culturing on differential media, were identified through classical methods and molecular tests, and antimicrobial resistance was determined.
Results: Based on the culture characteristics and morphological, biochemical, and molecular examinations, the isolates were identified as follows: 15 (33.3%) Staphylococcus aureus, 6 (13.3%) Corynebacterium diphtheriae, 6 (13.3%) Micrococcus spp., 8 (17.7%) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 8 (17.7%) Escherichia coli, and 2 (4.4%) Klebseilla pneumoniae. 22 fungal isolates were also isolated: 8 (36.36%) Aspergillus niger and 14 (63.63%) Candida albicans. Antibiotic susceptibility test was conducted for 14 bacterial isolates and 10 fungal isolates. Plasmid examination of the P. aeruginosa no. 13 sample revealed the presence of (15 and 9) Kb plasmids, while the C. diphtheriae no. 6 strain revealed a 3 kb plasmid. The transformation procedure was completed satisfactorily in both isolates.
Conclusion: This study revealed that naturally produced loofahs are a more useful bathing item than nylon or mesh bath poufs, and that loofahs are one of the reasons for resistant gene transfer between individuals.
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