ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in irrigation water. ESBL in water

We investigated the occurrence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (E. coli, Enterobacter spp., Citrobacter spp.) in irrigation water used for watering major fresh produce cultures located in different parts of Switzerland. ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae were cultured first on antibiotic-free media and then selected for resistance towards third generation cephalosporins. The obtained presumptive ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae were identified at species level and phenotypic antibiotic resistance profiles were obtained by disk diffusion. Finally, representative and non-redundant isolates were sequenced for detection of antibiotic resistance determinants.