Antimicrobial resistance susceptibility in microbial isolates from hospital vs community wastewater sources

Abstract

This study investigates the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns in bacterial isolates from hospital and community wastewater sources in North-East England. The research aims to compare the prevalence and severity of AMR in these two environments, with a particular focus on carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella. Samples were collected from Darlington Memorial Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Gateshead, and their respective community wastewater systems. The study utilized selective agars, disc diffusion, and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) methods to determine resistance levels. Additionally, multiplex PCR was employed to identify specific carbapenemase genes. Results indicate a higher prevalence of carbapenem-resistant isolates in hospital settings, with notable regional differences in resistance patterns. The findings underscore the critical role of hospitals as reservoirs for multidrug-resistant pathogens and highlight the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the spread of AMR in the environment