Affiliation:
1. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, College of Natural and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Nigeria
2. Department of Microbiology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
3. Center for Biotechnology Research, Bayero University, Kano, Niger
Abstract
Studies investigating environmental hotspots of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in Nigeria are limited. This study was designed to assess various environmental sources and commonly touched surfaces as potential carriers of ARB and ARGs with implications for public health. A total of 392 samples, including sewage (36), sludge (36), diapers (20), plastics (20), water sachet polythene bags (20), food wastes (20), soil beneath dump sites (20), and frequently touched surfaces such as restroom floors (80), corridors (24), door handles (56), and room floors and walls (60), were collected and screened for the presence of resistant bacteria carrying genes such as bla
KPC
, bla
NDM-1
, bla
CMY-2
, bla
IMP
, bla
OXA66
and MecA. Additionally, we employed standard techniques to detect methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
Acinetobacter baumannii
. We also evaluated the effectiveness of routine disinfection procedures in eliminating ARB from restroom floors. Our findings revealed that sewage, sludge, diapers, food wastes and restroom floors are frequently contaminated with highly and moderately resistant strains of E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and MRSA. Notably, we identified two variants of the bla
OXA51-like
gene (bla
OXA-66
and bla
OXA-180
) in
A. baumannii
isolated from these environmental sources. Furthermore, we detected seven ESBL-
K. pneumoniae
, five ESBL-
A. baumannii
, two ESBL-
E. coli
and one ESBL-
P. aeruginosa
, all carrying one or more ARGs (bla
KPC
, bla
NDM-1
, bla
CMY-2
), in isolates recovered from sewage, sludge, restroom floors and plastics. It is of note that ARB persisted on restroom floors even after disinfection procedures. In conclusion, this study highlights that environmental wastes indiscriminately discarded in residential areas and shared surfaces among individuals are heavily colonized by ARB carrying ARGs of significant public health importance.
Subject
Microbiology (medical),Microbiology