%0 Journal Article
%T Could the Increased Consumption of Azithromycin during the COVID-19 Pandemic Have Affected the Sensitivity of Bacteria of Aquatic Environment to This Antibiotic?
%A Ntsama Essomba Claudine
%A Tombedi Marie Christine
%A Ambada Ndzengue Georgia Elna
%A Eteme Enama Serge
%A Leme Banock Lucie
%A Avomo Jeanne
%A Bilong Bilong Charles F&#233
%A lix
%J Advances in Infectious Diseases
%P 645-658
%@ 2164-2656
%D 2024
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/aid.2024.144047
%X The increased consumption of azithromycin during the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to its presence in the waterways. This study aims to evaluate the effect of this situation on aquatic bacteria. <i>Methodology</i>: Over a four-month period following the official recognition of the COVID-19 outbreak in Yaound&#233;, water samples were collected from four rivers selected on the basis of their vicinity to care centers for COVID-19. Bacteria within azithromycin&#8217;s spectrum of activity were isolated, and the antibiotic&#8217;s efficacy was tested against the most frequently isolated species. The influence of COVID-19 incidence and other external factors was also assessed. <i>Results</i>: The most frequently isolated bacteria were <i>Bacillus</i> spp., <i>Enterococcus</i> spp., <i>Listeria </i>spp. and <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i>. These strains exhibited varying levels of sensitivity to azithromycin, ranging from 0% to 100%. The observed resistance rates were 12.5%, 14.29%, 16.67%, and 0%, respectively. Neither COVID-19 incidence, proximity to hospitals, nor rainfall significantly influenced bacterial resistance rates to azithromycin (P &gt; 0.05). These resistance levels may be attributed to the relatively short exposure of bacteria to azithromycin at the sampled locations, as well as the impact of agricultural and livestock-related chemicals, such as biocides and antibiotics, present in the watershed. <i>Conclusion</i>: These results highlight the need to integrate into anti-COVID-19 activities, the monitoring of bacteria&#8217;s sensitivity in aquatic environments.
%K COVID-19
%K Azithromycin
%K Aquatic Bacteria
%K Antibiotic Resistance
%K Yaound&#233
%K Rivers
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=136604