Report of a carbapenemase gene blaIMP-4 in multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli from sewage water: A threat on clinical-environmental interphase.

Abstract Acquired carbapenemases pose a significant role in the dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and in this study we have identified the occurrence of blaIMP-4 in E. coli isolate from a sewage outfall located nearby a secondary health Centre. It was found to co-existed with blaCTX-M-15 located within a self-conjugable plasmid of IncF type. The current study underscores environment as a potential reservoir of carbapenem resistance and the need of the hour is to track and check dissemination of resistance in environment, human and agricultural settings.