The impact of hospital wastewater from Tlemcen University Hospital Center on multi-drug resistant bacteria

Abstract

Multi-drug resistance is a major global threat, especially in healthcare settings. Hospitals generate wastewater that acts as a reservoir for multidrug-resistant bacteria. Hospital wastewater, if untreated or poorly treated, can disseminate resistant pathogens into the environment, posing significant risks to public health and ecological systems. This study aims to qualitatively assess the presence of bacteria and multidrug-resistant bacteria in the hospital wastewater of Tlemcen University Hospital. Hospital wastewater samples were collected from 3 different units of the hospital which are the Pneumo-phthisiology, Hematology, and Neurosurgery units. Bacterial isolation was performed using selective and differential agar media to selectively promote the growth of target ESKAPE bacteria. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines to determine resistance profiles. The research revealed the presence of bacteria in the hospital wastewater, including the occurrence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Predominantly, MDR bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family were found in the Hematology unit, while MDR Pseudomonas spp. were prevalent in the Pneumo-phthisiology unit. The study also identified Staphylococcus spp., which demonstrated susceptibility to the tested antibiotics. However, Pseudomonas spp. exhibited high resistance to Ciprofloxacin and Tobramycin across multiple units. The findings highlight the crucial need for efficient hospital wastewater treatment to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance. MDR bacteria in wastewater pose major threats to public health.